OT: Etymology of a clue
On Thu, Apr 11, 2002 at 11:41:10PM -0700, ben wrote:
> On Thursday 11 April 2002 10:48 pm, Karsten M. Self wrote:
> [big snip}
>
> karsten, if there were a competition to construct the most impact-full
> phrase, you would have to win with "a modicum of clue." i swear, that kicks
> my ass. i'm sitting back with a drink in my hand cheering your linguistic
> audacity. after all, if we can't have some fun here, what's the fsking point
> of it all? i know that i'll use that phrase outside of this list. i'll try to
> remember to give you credit for it, but i hope you won't be offended if i
> forget.
Etymology of "a modicum of [a] clue":
<predecessor?>
"Get a clue!"
- origin ??
"If <person> had half of a clue ..."
- origin ??
"If <person> had a modicum of [a] clue ..."
- Karsten Self, debian-user@lists.org, 2002 (original ?)
modicum - 15c, a small portion: a limited quantity
clue - (var clew) 15c, something that guides through an intricate
procedure or maze of difficulties; /specif./: a piece of evidence
that leads one toward a solution of a problem. (also: ball of thread,
yarn, or cord. a lower corner or only the after corner of a sail.
a metal loop attached to the lower corner of a sail. a combination of
lines by which a hammock is suspended.)
Somehow, I think having "half" or "a modicum" of a clue is equivalent
to not having a clue; otherwise it'd be one ;-) So, saying, "if <xyz>
had half a clue ...", is bass ackwards.
(definitions excerpted from Webster's 9th Collegiate Dictionary)
BTW: impact-full? Maybe, you were searching for understatement? retort?
insult?
--
Eric G. Miller <egm2@jps.net>
--
To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-request@lists.debian.org
with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmaster@lists.debian.org
Reply to: