Wordsmith Talk |
About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us | |||
Register Log In Wordsmith.org Forums General Topics Q&A about words "Cut and Run"
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
OP I am questioning a phrase rather than an individual word, which may not be appropriate for the board. At any rate I would appreciate confirmation of my understanding of this phrase, which has been used of late by some boneheads to mean "turn tail and run."
My understanding is that it refers to a nautical manoeuvre, where a ship's captain decides that his original plan to anchor and outwait a storm was a bad idea. The wind is blowing hard, the anchor line is stretched so taut that the anchor cannot be hoisted, so the captain orders the first mate to "cut and run" (cut the anchor line and escape peril by running before the wind). Cutting and running is a time-honored, standard, by the book, sensible manoeuvre with no shame attached--at least that is my understanding.
Has any of you heard a different etymology? Thanks. aliasjb@gmail.com
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted "Cut and Run" aliasjb 09/04/06 03:51 PM Re: "Cut and Run" Faldage 09/04/06 04:13 PM Re: "Cut and Run" aliasjb 09/04/06 04:37 PM Re: "Cut and Run" Faldage 09/04/06 08:37 PM Re: "Cut and Run" Aramis 09/05/06 12:58 PM Re: "Cut and Run" tsuwm 09/05/06 02:16 PM Re: "Cut and Run" Aramis 09/06/06 03:26 PM Re: "Cut and Run" themilum 09/04/06 10:46 PM Re: "Cut and Run" Faldage 09/05/06 10:33 AM Re: pax harmonica zmjezhd 09/05/06 11:25 PM
Moderated by Jackie
Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics Forums16Topics13,913Posts229,417Members9,182 Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members Ineffable, ddrinnan, TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV
9,182 Registered Users
Who's Online Now 1 members (A C Bowden), 1,018 guests, and 4 robots. Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days) A C Bowden 23
Top Posters wwh 13,858Faldage 13,803Jackie 11,613wofahulicodoc 10,588tsuwm 10,542LukeJavan8 9,922Buffalo Shrdlu 7,210AnnaStrophic 6,511Wordwind 6,296of troy 5,400
Forum Rules · Mark All Read Contact Us · Forum Help · Wordsmith.org