Date:  Thu, 31 Mar 1994 02:02:20 CST

From:  "Donald M. Lance" <ENGDL[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MIZZOU1.BITNET>

Subject: Re: Popular Expressions



Natalie says it makes sense to say someone can't walk and chew gum at the

same time. Is that a realistic characterization of klutziness? It may be

hypoerbolic. What Johnson seemed to me to mean about Ford wasn't that

Ford was absolutely incompetent (which would be the case in the current

expression) but that he was klutzy and would have to work hard at not

stumbling when required to do tasks of medium difficulty. The current

version of the term is dorky, not colorful -- said by someone who really can't

walk and chew gum at the same time unless someone writes out the directions.

                       DMLance