Date:  Mon, 28 Mar 1994 15:37:51 -0500

From:  Ellen Johnson <ellenj[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ATLAS.UGA.EDU>

Subject: Clinton's speech



I have promised to respond tomorrow to an AP reporter who's working on a

story about the president's speech. He's faxed me a list of phrases he's

collected and would like to know their origin, meaning, and what the

usage says about the speaker. Also he'd welcome comparisons to past

presidents and general reactions to Clinton's lang. use. What say ye?



Phrases:

I'd JUMP ON this like FLIES ON A JUNEBUG

don't have to be as bright as a TREE FULL OF OWLS to figure out...

[good intentions, but] THERE ARE A LOT OF SLIPS BTW THE CUP AND THE LIP

[in diplomacy] THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS

still be in Wash. THROWING MUD BALLS AT EACH OTHER

they're in a REAL PICKLE

THAT'S THE RUB [=problem]

GOBBLYGOOK language



Euphemisms:

don't give a rip

don't give a lick

out the wazoo

load of hooey

bunch of bull



Anyone have comments on these or care to cite others? Does anyone know

the exact wording of a sentence like "They went to dinner with Hillary

and I a few times". I recall the hypercorrection involved Hillary but I

don't recall the rest of the context. The reporter thinks "out the

wazoo" is a "generational thing", but I'm not so sure.



Ellen Johnson

ellenj[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]atlas.uga.edu