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Previous Thread Next Thread Print Thread "Cut and Run" #161929 09/04/06 03:51 PM Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2 A aliasjb OP stranger OP aliasjb stranger A Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2 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 Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: "Cut and Run" #161930 09/04/06 04:13 PM Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 13,803 Faldage Carpal Tunnel Faldage Carpal Tunnel Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 13,803 Try this board for your question. They'll handle it. On the other hand Word Detective agrees with your story/ Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: "Cut and Run" #161931 09/04/06 04:37 PM Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2 A aliasjb OP stranger OP aliasjb stranger A Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2 Thanks. Always good to have one's speculations confirmed. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: "Cut and Run" #161932 09/04/06 08:37 PM Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 13,803 Faldage Carpal Tunnel Faldage Carpal Tunnel Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 13,803 But to say that the phrase "cut and run" has no pejorative connotations is to fall prey to the etymological fallacy. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: "Cut and Run" #161933 09/04/06 10:46 PM Joined: May 2002 Posts: 1,529 Aladamnbama the most watered s... T themilum veteran themilum veteran T Joined: May 2002 Posts: 1,529 Aladamnbama the most watered s... The "boneheads" you describe are almost everyone who uses the term today, both cut-and-runners" and those who have the will to stay-the-course. Would the term "re-deployment" make the act more palatable to your political pallette? Peace in our time. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: "Cut and Run" #161934 09/05/06 10:33 AM Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 13,803 Faldage Carpal Tunnel Faldage Carpal Tunnel Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 13,803 Quote: Would the term "re-deployment" make the act more palatable to your political pallette? Cap'n: First Mate! Redeploy! FM: Aye Cap'n! Bos'n! Take an axe to that anchor cable and redeploy! Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: "Cut and Run" #161935 09/05/06 12:58 PM Joined: May 2005 Posts: 456 SE US Aramis addict Aramis addict Joined: May 2005 Posts: 456 SE US It is particularly derogatory in relation to the Medusa raft incident depicted in an immense painting in the Louvre. Anyone seen that one? ÅΓª╥┐↕§ Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: "Cut and Run" #161936 09/05/06 02:16 PM Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 10,542 this too shall pass tsuwm Carpal Tunnel tsuwm Carpal Tunnel Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 10,542 this too shall pass Quote: Anyone seen that one? cut and run, have you?! Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: pax harmonica #161937 09/05/06 11:25 PM Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,290 R'lyeh zmjezhd Carpal Tunnel zmjezhd Carpal Tunnel Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,290 R'lyeh Cut and run used to be called Peace with Honor back in the day ... Ceci n'est pas un seing. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: "Cut and Run" #161938 09/06/06 03:26 PM Joined: May 2005 Posts: 456 SE US Aramis addict Aramis addict Joined: May 2005 Posts: 456 SE US A case of poor timing; actually saw the painting prior to reading a book about the incident, and only remembered it later. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Moderated by  Jackie  Hop To General Topics ------  Information and announcements  Q&A about words  Wordplay and fun  Words and languages in schools  Miscellany  Weekly Themes  Looking for (writers, speakers,... (Old) Weekly themes. 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