[ST] RE: st-digest V2001 #341

["Keith Tynan" <keith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001 22:43:20 +0100
> From: "Mike Bostock" <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> ...
> 11:25:47 -0700, Parker, Jim said that ...
> ...
> >PJ-  I mentioned that the project was going well and was
> >PJ-  starting to look like the "Dogs dangling bits" .
> ...
> It really should be the "dogs dangly bits" but if you want to cut to the
> quick and stop beating around the bush you should say "the dogs bollocks",
> that will get a few smiles :-))

Jim,

If the object of a euphemism is to ameliorate the tone of a phrase, then
it's a device that I fear has largely fallen into disuse in contemporary
spoken UK-English, with oral crudities resulting from the prevalence of a
'laddish' culture [sic] being the order of the day.

Although Mike is right that popular parlance would favour the direct phrase
'the dogs bollocks', general laziness would normally see this shortened
simply to 'the dogs' (everyone but maiden aunts - of whom there are few
these days - instantly being able to provide the omitted substantive).

Contrarily, I fear your original proclamation that your project was looking
like 'the dogs dangling bits', might have missed the euphemism by such a
margin as to be interpreted literally by your British audience - i.e. that
the project was wrinkly and pear-shaped.

I trust this assists in the promotion of cordial international relations and
team bonding ~:)

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
- --
BRG
email: keith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
'00 Sprint ST BRG 'Wolfram'


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