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Anybody know where this comes from? In my family, it's used thusly: if the bathroom needs cleaning, someone will give it a lick and a promise - meaning a quick cleaning now, maybe (but probably not) a more thorough one later. This may come from doing "a lick of work" now, with a promise of more later, but I don't know. Any more definite notions? While we're at it - what about "a wing and a prayer?" I always have visions of a plane that's lost a wing, trying to land using the equipment described, but don't know if I heard that from a reliable source or if the little man who lives in the northeastern corner of my cranium made it up and planted it somewhere. p.s. - this is the first post I've ever put together that our beloved spell-wrecker didn't have any problems with - must be doing something wrong p.p.s. - of course, I spell-checked the above postscript and it couldn't figure out p.s. or spell-wrecker 
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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My dictionary says:
4 [Colloq.] b) a short, rapid burst of activity, often careless, as in cleaning up, etc. (also lick and a promise)
IDIOMS: lick and a promise A superficial effort made without care or enthusiasm
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Anonymous
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i've always accredited this phrase to hair origins; eg a harried mother suddenly noticing her son's hair is mussed as they climb the stairs to church, then absently licking her finger and smoothing down a cowlick, with a mental promise to brush it properly later.
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Carpal Tunnel
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While we're at it - what about "a wing and a prayer?"
It was in a song in early days of WWII...as title and part of lyric of song entitled, aptly, "Coming In On A Wind And A Prayer"
The song was based on a real incident.
A Chaplain was aboard a US bomber as observer when the plane was attacked by German fighters as it returned from a raid over Europe. The fighter pilot's bullets disabled the two engines on one wing leaving just two engines on other wing operable.
The aircraft commander told the Chaplain to pray and nursed the plane home over the English Chanel ...
The base people thought the plane was lost in combat and we astounded to get the Captain's message that the plane and crew were "...coming in on a wing and a prayer." The plane landed safely and crew was OK.
There were many news stories about the incident and the song was very popular.
wow
P.S. re our beloved spell-wrecker
Hyla dear, it's Spellwrecker. Been using the mockonym for ages.
Mockonym : Have I coined a new word? Pooh Bahs & Ilk invited to comment. ducking for cover
wow
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"Mockronym"--I like it! And tsuwm might like it. But even if everybody else likes it, they may come and mock your nym for relegating them to the "ilk" classification. 
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relegating them to the "ilk" classification
"Ilk" means the same or same type and I cannot imagine anyone on this board being upset by being classed with you and Tsuwm! 'Tis more like aspiration!
Aloha
Wow
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"Ilk" means the same or same type and I cannot imagine anyone on this board being upset by being classed with you and Tsuwm! 'Tis more like aspiration!
Calm down, you're getting all choked up...
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old hand
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old hand
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Pooh Bahs & Ilk invited to comment. ducking for cover
wowWhy are you hiding? PoohBahs are a protected species, and it's not ilk hunting season. 
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and the phrase "of that ilk" is used in Scotland as part of clan names, as in "Dundas of that Ilk", "Machlachan of that Ilk" and of course the clan "Ilk of that Ilk"!
Rod
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Yeah, in our family it meant a minimal wash, i.e. wipe the dirt off the face with licked fingers.
Gross Warning: childs Joke I was reminded of:
Mummy! Mummy! May I lick the bowl please?
No dear, you flush it like everyone else does!
Rod
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