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#52111 01/07/02 11:30 AM
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I learned this phrase from the American tv show "Night Court" in the early '80's. Dan the loathsome lawyer (played by the wonderful John Larroquette) hung out in a bar known as The Stickey Wicket. Once explained by my dad, I found the *multiple* entendre.... delicious!


#52112 01/07/02 03:10 PM
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Dear Maj.K:I have heard "sticky wicket" used to mean a problem, derived from cricket term meaning playing surface sodden after rain. Can't think of any extra entendres. Not without inventing a bit of ribaldry.

Incidentally I found a site for phrases:http://phrases.shu.ac.uk/meanings/334550.html


#52113 01/07/02 03:58 PM
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And if Dr. Bill can't find any entendres...

I, an iggerunt USn, had always assumed that sticky wicket referred to the thang the bowler was trying to knock over to get the batsman out; the ball would hit the wicket but it wouldn't fall because it was sticky. Imagine my surprise, when reading The Don's excellent Farewell to Cricket, to discover that a sticky wicket was deemed an advantage for the bowler.


#52114 01/07/02 05:14 PM
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Dear Faldage: you must be aware that other playing fields may be made less attractive if inundated by moisture of any one of several different types.


#52115 01/07/02 05:41 PM
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You guys read today's WAD? It's all there.


#52116 01/07/02 06:39 PM
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What's all there? I din't see no entendres.

And, Dr. Bill. Knowing that a wet playing field can cause problems is one thing, knowing that the word for the pile of sticks that the bowler is trying to knock down is also the word for the ground off of which he bounces the ball is a whole nother. It's like saying that the infield is the home plate.


#52117 01/07/02 06:55 PM
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It is also like saying there is a marvelous cul-de-sac below the Venusian eminence.


#52118 01/07/02 07:06 PM
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Boy howdy, Dr. Bill. You an the major's dad. Cain't say nuthin to y'all without setting off the English school boy.


#52119 01/07/02 07:27 PM
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What was it the Duke of Wellingon said about battles having been won on the playing fields of Eton?


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Yeah, maybe if they'd taken up chorale singing instead we wouldn't have had so many wars.


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