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#105504 06/14/03 02:32 AM
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I'd always heard "apres nous le deluge" attributed to Mme de Pompadour, mistress of Louis XV.

Bingley


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#105505 06/14/03 12:57 PM
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Dear Bingley: I too thought it was attributed to Madame Pompadour, who had more brains than Louis XVI. I just happened to find it attributed to Louie Blooie in what seemed a scholarly article. You can find it attributed to bothe sources.
Incidentally, "brains" is a brainless phrase, isn't it?


#105506 06/14/03 03:53 PM
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"brains" is a brainless phrase, isn't it?


Perhaps "brains" is slang in referring to intelligence, but it would be perfectly fine in a sentence such as:

The soldier's boots were spattered with blood and brains.


#105507 06/14/03 04:17 PM
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From reading about the Wizard of Oz giving "brains" to the Tin Woodsman, was it? I used to thing "brains" were tiny pellets of some kind. Or was it the Scarecrow?


#105508 06/14/03 11:12 PM
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Good observation, Bill.

We say: "I have my wits about me" or "you would think I hadn't any brains!" Both are plural, meaning about the same thing. Perhaps brains is a carry-over of wits?

I recall reading a book by a Scottish author who used the phrase "he hasn't brains enough to fill a thimble." Always thought that was funny.


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