Date:  Fri, 2 Feb 1996 10:21:49 EST

From:  Oscar Southard <ENSOUTHA[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ECUVM.CIS.ECU.EDU>

Subject: Measures of quality



For as long as I can remember, I have heard people use the phrase "Is

the Cadillac of" to refer to a product of high quality (e.g. "Maytag is

the Cadillac of washing machines"). The other night on a cooking show,

though, the young male host said "This is the Mercedes of vegetable

peelers" in describing the gadget with which he was peeling potatoes. Is

that phrase in common usage? If so, is it a testimony to the decline of

the American automobile industry? Just wondering.



Regards,



Bruce



Bruce Southard

English Department

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC 27858

ensoutha[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ecuvm.cis.ecu.edu

919-328-6676

919-328-4889 (FAX)