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#112210 09/15/03 06:07 PM
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wwh Offline OP
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From The Three Musketeers:
" The first thing he perceived through the damp gray mist was honest Planchet, who, with the two horses in hand, awaited him at the door of a little blind cabaret, before which D’Artagnan had passed without even a suspicion of its existence.

I remember back in Prohibition, a "speakeasy", a place where liquor was sold illegally, was called "a blind pig"
or a "blind tiger. AHD gives definition of "blind tiger",
which says name arose from exhibition of stuffed animals.
This sounds unsatisfactory to me. Evidently the French used the word "blind" two hundred years ago, without any stuffed animals involved. I believe it means the proprietors turned a blind eye toward an illegal activity on part of patrons,
or towards laws involved. What do you think?

I doubt any other board members remember Prohition, back in the twenties, when there was a Constitutional Amendment prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages, except beer, wioth no more than 3.5% alcohol.



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Judging from the following phrase it sounds as if blind simply meant hidden, or at least, not calling attention to itself. Perhaps another case of poor translation.


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re:Judging from the following phrase it sounds as if blind simply meant hidden, or at least, not calling attention to itself. Perhaps another case of poor translation
poor translation? i don't think so--hunters, and naturalist build blind(s)- small building they can enter, and observe (or hunt) game.

I would fully understand someone saying The hunter remained in the blind all day, and returned home unsuccessful.

--in the context quoted, a blind caberet is one that does not have a sign, (neon lights) or even a name above the door.

There is a hotel, on Madison Avenuen (at 38th street) that cateers to the rich and famous The hotel has no sign, no indication that it is a hotel, the front street level enterence has black glass doors, so you can't see in. It also has a enterence on 38th street, with a very low key doorman in front of an unmarked door-also tinted a dark color.
Of course, i forget the name of the hotel, but, occationally, someone with groupies would be staying there, and the groupies would hang out side the place. Otherwise, most people just didn't see it.--it a blind hotel.


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hunters, and naturalist build blind(s)

Yeahbut©, a noun is one thing, an adjective is something entire else.

OK, nemmine, OED1 agrees with you, helen.


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I assumed that it meant without windows, so nobody can see out -- or in.

Bingley


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