Date:  Thu, 31 Mar 1994 11:33:31 CST

From:  Dennis Baron <debaron[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]UIUC.EDU>

Subject: Re: Popular Expressions



In Message Wed, 30 Mar 1994 16:30:55 CST,

 "Donald M. Lance" <ENGDL[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]mizzou1.bitnet> writes:



>An expression that politicians and newspeople like these days is "X can't

>walk and chew gum at the same time." Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

>

I think the beauty of the expression, even if it is a folk variation

of Lyndon's original, is that it captures the essence: a person who

can't do something phenomenally simple. Like finding something with

both hands in the dark.



Isn't one aspect of linguistic change making sense out of something

that "doesn't make a whole lot of sense"?



And is this really the origin of the phrase?



But then, don't mind me, I'm only the one who innocently asked if

you all could ever be singular.



Dennis

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