Date: Mon, 27 Mar 1995 20:44:27 -0800

From: THOMAS CLARK tlc[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]NEVADA.EDU

Subject: Re: had the biscuit



Watch out, folks!



He posted this only to brag about where he is during the rainy season!

If that don't take the biscuit.

Cheers,

tlc



On Sat, 25 Mar 1995, Terry Pratt wrote:



To my surprise I am unable to locate the phrase HAD THE BISCUIT, usually

in some utterance such as "Well, that engine's had the biscuit" (ie is

'dead', finished, kaput, it is an un-engine), in any source available to

me at the moment. TAKE THE BISCUIT, yes, as in 'take the cake, if that

don't beat all' etc. Yet I, a Canadian currently sabbaticking in

Paradise, have known that phrase all my life, and so have others I have

asked. Any help here? Refers to last communion wafer of dying person?

I want to answer a query on the source of this phrase from a member of

the, hem hem, my public.

Terry Pratt

University of Prince Edward Island

University of Hawaii at Hilo, pro tem.