Date: Sat, 25 May 1996 18:49:53 -0600

From: Samuel Jones smjones1[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]FACSTAFF.WISC.EDU

Subject: Re: "took a shine to" [To take a shine to . . .]



Having lived in both Oklahoma & Texas for extended periods of time, I

can tell you that "to take a shine to" is an expression I have heard

used there all the years I was located in that part of the US, particularly

among ranchers, cattlemen, farmers, and country folk. "At the pie supper,

Harry took quite a shine to the new schoolmarm, and kinda cozied up to

her!" "When Mary Beth heard the new banker was single, she took quite a

shine to

him!"



At 10:24 AM 5/25/96 -0500, you wrote:

he "took a shine to exercising". I've only heard this once before in my

life. Any idea how this came about, and what it really means?



I don't know where it came from, but I've heard it all my life as an

expression meaning to like something immediately.

--Natalie (maynor[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ra.msstate.edu)





I've heard it all my life, and I grew up in New England. But it doesn't

sound quite right applied to an activity; I think I would use it only of

people. I also seem to have a sense that the "shine" was unexpected, as in

an adult taking a shine to an unruly child.



David Johns

Waycross College

Waycross, GA



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Prof. of Music & Latin American Studies TELNET: samjones[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]macc.wisc.edu

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