Date:  Thu, 19 May 1994 02:20:30 -0400

From:  Robert Kelly <kelly[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]LEVY.BARD.EDU>

Subject: Re: Uncl: Question



guesswork:

fritz = German

jerry = German



jerry-built [presumably from jury-rigged, jury-built] is understood as

German made, hence (in an anti-German time) inferior.



but why the "on the..." ?



is it euphemy for a naughty rhyme word?

People used to say "it shits" as they now say "it sucks"



from rhyme word ----> place where one does that, hence the "on"



something on the fritz = something "indisposed"



 I wouldn't bother with this guessing except the DARE has nothing.



Good guessing!

r