Axe To Grind
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sr71plt
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First, the preferred U.S. system spelling is "ax."
Second, Webster's definition is different from that: "an ulterior often selfish underlying purpose." Doesn't connect to a "favor" at all.
As usual, you're just pulling unresearched threads out of your ass to grab attention? You certainly are on a (t)roll with them today.
Second, Webster's definition is different from that: "an ulterior often selfish underlying purpose." Doesn't connect to a "favor" at all.
As usual, you're just pulling unresearched threads out of your ass to grab attention? You certainly are on a (t)roll with them today.
rjordan
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NicoleZ
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Having "an axe to grind" means that you have a score to settle; you sharpened your axe because instead of wood it was to be used chopping necks. Later usage of the phrase has seen it take on some of the semantic content as pointed out by Pilot.
"Hobson's choice" is being offered the choice of accepting the one thing that is offered or abstaining; i.e. take it or leave it: "There's no coffee, tea, beer, booze, milk, cordials or soft drinks but I can offer you a glass of water."
NOIRTRASH
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http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2007/12/an-ax-to-grind.html
OED attributes the expression to Franklin.
sr71plt
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What's interesting is that your cite spells it "ax" rather than how you spelled it and states that the meaning in the United States is how NicoleZ and I gave it, not as you did. That's what's interesting. I'm in the United States (as are you). I'll stick with the Webster's definition of the term.
49greg
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Are you implying that non-city folk don't have the same edjamacation in spelling/grammar that city folk do?
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NicoleZ
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With a world-wide audience you're asking for trouble if you use local semantic interpretations instead of the accepted norm unless you are using it creatively in order to demonstrate this phenomenon in which case you would have to explain it to the reader.
NOIRTRASH
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CUT THE MUSTER is another confused expression
http://grammarrule.********.com/2006/11/english-grammar-rule-cut-muster-or.html
I found 22 relevant definitions, here is mine The failure of a college officer or student to be present at any appointed exercise.
http://grammarrule.********.com/2006/11/english-grammar-rule-cut-muster-or.html
I found 22 relevant definitions, here is mine The failure of a college officer or student to be present at any appointed exercise.
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ishtat
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Ax is a pure Saxon word. Originally it was more commonly used in the sense to 'ask.' Even today, in Northern English dialect when a couple's banns have been read three times in Church, they are said to have been 'ax'd.' That is the parish has been asked whether there are any impediments to their planned marriage.
The earliest literary reference to Axe with an e is (OED) 1677 and in the sense of it being a sharp bladed tool. There are earlier references in letters to war axes and headmen's axes, with or without an e. Johnson's dictionary 1755 spells the tool as Ax. The OED spells Axe, but adds that although archaic, Ax is equally acceptable.
Modern usage seems to have examples of Ax in British usage and of Axe in American usage though in both cases they are exceptions.
I originally thought that Noirtrash's notion that axe to grind was to ask a favour was wrong. However, if one goes back to the older meaning of ax meaning to ask it seems reasonable that might have survived in the English/Creoles spoken in the West Indies - the apparent source for this meaning.
Small word fascinating history.
The earliest literary reference to Axe with an e is (OED) 1677 and in the sense of it being a sharp bladed tool. There are earlier references in letters to war axes and headmen's axes, with or without an e. Johnson's dictionary 1755 spells the tool as Ax. The OED spells Axe, but adds that although archaic, Ax is equally acceptable.
Modern usage seems to have examples of Ax in British usage and of Axe in American usage though in both cases they are exceptions.
I originally thought that Noirtrash's notion that axe to grind was to ask a favour was wrong. However, if one goes back to the older meaning of ax meaning to ask it seems reasonable that might have survived in the English/Creoles spoken in the West Indies - the apparent source for this meaning.
Small word fascinating history.
Yup. I'm into stereotypes, having spent years playing C&W music in redneck bars.
TxRad
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NicoleZ
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Although I have to admit that I am not 100% certain, it's probably derived from "cut the mustard" as both imply to succeed, to be accepted as of the highest standard. But I'd agree that your definition is far more fun:
"Gary had obviously cut the muster when God handed out brains."
Even more fun would be had if Gary was unaware of your definition, oh Seditious One!
NOIRTRASH
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Although I have to admit that I am not 100% certain, it's probably derived from "cut the mustard" as both imply to succeed, to be accepted as of the highest standard. But I'd agree that your definition is far more fun:
"Gary had obviously cut the muster when God handed out brains."
Even more fun would be had if Gary was unaware of your definition, oh Seditious One!
I research issues back to when God and Grandpappy Pilot created them. Usually historical questions. I want to find the logical explanation for strange action. I find stunning revelations.
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NicoleZ
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Are you certain that it is Latin in origin and not French? "Reparaître" = "Paraître de noveau" or "to appear again".
rjordan
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Repair is a synonym for return to or go someplace which you noted. I haven't heard it used that way in the U.S. Mostly in old stuffy English drama and writing. "Shall we repair to the draaaawing room?" Can't think of a context for "fail to repair"...Maybe, "Being quite dead, he failed to repair to the drawing room with the others."
rj
NOIRTRASH
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Its both; the Latin is a bit older.
GENDER, as a synonym for sex, is recent. Around 1955 or so some professor lifted gender from English pronouns and gave it to crossdressers to add a patina of dignity to a sexual disorder. Okay. But it aint biological sex, as we insist in 2016. In the Middle Ages gender was the word for bovine coitus. Its made the rounds.
NOIRTRASH
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The military used it during my enlistment. On one occasion I missed a dental appointment and FAILURE TO REPAIR got me a session with my first sergeant.
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NicoleZ
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"Didn't you say Carl was supposed to attend this meeting"
"Yes, but he's failed to repair."
Or to pick up on your example:
"He was so untrustworthy they say that he failed to repair at his own funeral."
redzinger
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