Date: Thu Jul 3 00:01:08 EDT 2003
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--trade-last
X-Bonus: The true civilization is where every man gives to every other every right that he claims for himself. -Robert Green Ingersoll, lawyer and orator (1833-1899)

trade-last (TRAYD-last) noun

A compliment that a person has heard and offers to repeat to the one
complimented in exchange for a compliment made about oneself.

[From trade + last.]

"A voluptuous brunette in a rose-pink dress and diamonds dragged her down
to the arm of her rocker.
`I got a trade-last for you, Myra.'"
Fannie Hurst (1889-1968); Summer Resources (short story).

"`I have a trade-last for you, Ida,' she said. `Mrs. Mallard is in the
library, discussing our club, and I heard mother say something awfully
nice about you.'
`Tell it!' demanded Lloyd.
`No, I said a trade-last.'
`Oh, fishing for a compliment!' sang Katie."
Annie Fellows Johnston (1863-1931); The Little Colonel at Boarding