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A.Word.A.Day--Buggin's turn

Pronunciation Sound Clip RealAudio

This week's theme: Whose what?

Buggin's turn (BUG-inz turn) noun

Assignment to a position based on seniority or rotation, instead of merit.
Also Buggins's turn.

[The identity of this original Buggin(s) fellow is, unfortunately, lost in the mist of history.]

-Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org)

"In the [Jamaica Constabulary Force], the law of Buggin's turn is firmly entrenched. Quality is secondary to seniority and cronyism."
John Maxwell; Justice Not Blind, But Dumb; Jamaica Observer (Kingston, Jamaica); Jan 8, 2006.

X-Bonus

Eminent posts make great men greater, and little men less. -Jean de la Bruyere, essayist and moralist (1645-1696)

What they say

“Garg works in the great tradition of Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis... Garg, however, is more fun.”

Minneapolis Star Tribune


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Anu Garg on words

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