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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2 |
Hi, I am quite interested in etymologies - more of phrases, than words - and would really like to know the origins/coinage of the following phrases & the stories behind them (i.e. the who/when/how/why - in short, the whole kit and caboodle!): 1) Affirmative action 2) Brain drain 3) Phrases like " he wept in his shirt-sleeves" & "he wept with his pants on". I mean, how does someone come up with something like that?!! I'd be grateful if you could get back to me with the answers at quizzersapru@gmail.com.Thank you. Cheers, Shantanu.
Cogito ergo sum!
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
Welcome to the board. You'll probably get more replies here than to your E-mail, so be sure to come back.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154 |
"3)Phrases like " he wept in his shirt-sleeves" & "he wept with his pants on". I mean, how does someone come up with something like that?!!"
Now those are new to me. I suppose that weeping with your or without your pants would make a difference to the person who's shoulder you were crying on...
The others are familiar but I don't know the stories.
PS welcome aboard quizzer
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 631
addict
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addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 631 |
>Etymologies
And what about the phrase, "to a fare-thee-well", meaning, "to perfection" ?
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