[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference thebay::joyoflex

Title:The Joy of Lex
Notice:A Notes File even your grammar could love
Moderator:THEBAY::SYSTEM
Created:Fri Feb 28 1986
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1192
Total number of notes:42769

975.0. "Waiting with baited breath" by CALS::THACKERAY () Fri Jun 05 1992 11:01

    When someone waits with "baited breath", does that mean a hook on the
    tongue?
    
    As I understand it, the correct use of the term is in "bated breath",
    presumably the root of the word being "abated", or held.
    
    I don't mind when it's spoken, but I cringe when it's written!
    
    Ray
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
975.1VALKYR::RUSTFri Jun 05 1992 12:0115
    Yeah, "bated" is correct, but it may be losing ground.
    
    Although, come to think of it, "baited breath" could well apply in some
    cases; for example, whenever someone on a first date dashes to the
    restroom to apply a quick squirt of Binaca (brand of
    breath-freshener)... [Well, the _commercials_ imply you can "hook"
    someone by using their product; sounds like bait to me!]
    
    I believe "bate" can also mean the frenzied flapping of a bird, as when
    a trained falcon panics, tries to fly free of the handler's arm, and,
    caught by the jesses, flaps helplessly upside down. I think of that
    image sometimes in "bated breath" situations, and it changes the
    picture a wee bit...
    
    -b
975.2TLE::SOULEThe elephant is wearing quiet clothes.Fri Jun 05 1992 13:176
Old joke:

	"The cat ate the cheese and sat by the mouse-hole with baited breath."

Ben
975.3JIT081::DIAMONDbad wiring. That was probably it. Very bad.Sat Jun 06 1992 05:477
    Argh!  Despite the wonderfulness of .2's pun, I still don't think we
    want a separate note for every abused word.  I think they could all
    be replies to one bass note.
    
    
    {P.S.  I was considering opening a new bass note for this example too,
    but such action would be a logical joke, not a lexical one.]
975.4Which angle is the one??AUSSIE::WHORLOWBushies do it for FREE!Sun Jun 14 1992 23:4418
    G'day,
    
<<< Note 975.3 by JIT081::DIAMOND "bad wiring. That was probably it. Very bad." >>>

    >>Argh!  Despite the wonderfulness of .2's pun, I still don't think we
    >>want a separate note for every abused word.  I think they could all
    >>be replies to one bass note.
                         ^
    ---------------------|
    
    
    
    Is this a DEEP note?, A fishy note, or a typographical ineptitude?
    
    ;-)
    
    
    derek
975.5MYCRFT::PARODIJohn H. ParodiMon Jun 15 1992 09:516
    
    >    Is this a DEEP note?, A fishy note, or a typographical ineptitude?
    
    It's one from an oversize voila...
    
    JP
975.6A lunch time invitation...PASTIS::MONAHANhumanity is a trojan horseMon Jun 15 1992 12:553
    	I just received an electronic message from a female colleague who
    does not read this file, but is fond of puns. She told me she would be
    waiting in the car park for me with baited breasts.
975.7Just like Jessica Rabbit.REGENT::BROOMHEADDon't panic -- yet.Mon Jun 15 1992 13:503
    Aha!  A booby trap.
    
    						Ann B.
975.8SSDEVO::EGGERSAnybody can fly with an engine.Mon Jun 15 1992 14:233
    What is the G&S line from Trial by Jury?
    
    ... and a ring(?) which I bought of a booby.
975.9SMURF::SMURF::BINDERRem ratam agiteMon Jun 15 1992 14:233
    Shame on you, Ann.  Boobies are smarter than that.
    
    -dick
975.10word associationAUSSIE::WHORLOWBushies do it for FREE!Mon Jun 15 1992 21:5615
    G'day
    
     Joke (?) from my, then, seven-y-o (now 20)
    
    
    
    
    How do you catch a Bra?
    
    
    
    set a booby trap...
    
    
    djw
975.11memories of childhoodHANNAH::OSMANsee HANNAH::IGLOO$:[OSMAN]ERIC.VT240Mon Oct 19 1992 14:509
We used to have a joke in our family.  If one of us was late home for some
function (translation: "dinner"), when that person arrived, they might
say smirkily:

	Gee, it smells like worms around here.   Y'all must have been waiting
	for me with baited breath !