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#118924 01/06/04 01:30 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
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wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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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.


#118925 01/06/04 10:59 AM
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dxb Offline
Pooh-Bah
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Talking about cocktails, Dr Bill, what about the Sidecar, is that also railway related?


#118926 01/06/04 02:05 PM
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wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
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My guess would be motorcycle. I don't get the figure of speech involved though.



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