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Joined: Jan 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Mencken mentions "highball" as an alcoholic drink. I suspect it was borrowed from railroad word.
"The Americans, introduced to the same drink, at once gave it the far more original name of high-ball."
The highball was the signal the conductor at rear of train gave by waving hand or a lantern in an arc high overhead, meaning it was OK to start the train towards next stop.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692 |
Talking about cocktails, Dr Bill, what about the Sidecar, is that also railway related?
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
My guess would be motorcycle. I don't get the figure of speech involved though.
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