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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9 |
where does the saying, "give me the low down", come from?
foggy gardens
foggy gardens
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Good question. We all know what it means. "Cut out the bullshit, and give me the lowdown." I searched my best sites with no answer as to origin.
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467 |
Nothing is lower down than the bottom line, a phrase I particularly abhor.
TEd
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear TEd: I think you just slobbered a bibfull. "Low down" could have the predecessor of "the bottom line" but not talking about profits or tax returns.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,819
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,819 |
I don't think "the low down" and "the bottom line" are quite synonymous. "The low down" is like inside information, such as Mr. Jones in shipping announced his resignation to the boss today, but I already knew he was quitting because he gave me the low down last week on his new job over at FedEx."
"The bottom line" is like the synopsis of a long-winded tale. Mr Jones' mother lives in Memphis and she's been ill, plus he's been dissatisfied here in Portland, and there was an opening over at FedEx, and well, the bottom line is he's quitting his job and moving to Memphis to work for FedEx."
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
I checked it out on Bartleby via Onelook. Here's the entry with lowdown shown as one word--hooray! You can use it in Scrabble!
lowdown
SYLLABICATION: low·down
PRONUNCIATION: ldoun
NOUN: Slang The whole truth: gave us the lowdown on what happened at the party.
Bartleby regards,
Dub
Edit and Addendum. MW has a slightly different take:
Main Entry: low·down
Pronunciation: 'lO-"daun
Function: noun
Date: 1915
: the inside facts : DOPE
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
Could it be related to "sub rosa" (under the rose?) which means secret - and is another phrase that tickles me!
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189 |
Then, of course, there's "you no good, low down, so-and-so" as in lowlife, which can be a physical condition or a state of degenerate behavior. And, welcome, pjandq!  Hop onboard, and enjoy our journey of words!
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094 |
There's a somewhat related phrase: "Keep it on the down-low" or shortened: "keep it on the DL." This basically means that you don't want people to know about something; to keep a secret. I not really sure how the two phrases relate though. I think this one is more recent.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636 |
I've never heard that expression before. It makes sense so that means it will probably spread. I only know of "keep it on the QT" which I always assumed stood for keep it quiet.
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