Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 17:45:59 +0000

From: Grant Barrett gbarrett[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]JERRYNET.COM

Subject: RE out-of-pocket



I'm also from Missouri, and I find "out of pocket" generally means "unpla=

nned" and is most often used in referring to money. "Unplanned" or "unexp=

ected" work in a general way in both your parents' uses, I think, though =

not as direct synonyms for "out of pocket".=20



Your parents might say "I'm sorry we couldn't be there because we were in=

an unexpected place". Your friend might say "Those additional charges ar=

e for unexpected costs".



Unfortunately, I get the idea that "out of pocket" is one of those terms =

that has been used in one way so long that it will in the end only be use=

d to describe unexpected or unplanned expenses.=20



--------