Date: Wed, 2 Oct 1996 12:18:24 EDT

From: Orin Hargraves 100422.2566[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]COMPUSERVE.COM

Subject: trade-like and trade-last



Many years ago my stepmother said she had a "trade-like" for me. I'd never heard

of this, and she explained that it was a compliment someone had paid me, which

she offered to repeat if I would tell her something complimentary I'd heard

about her. To me this sounded like a bizarre, manipulative ritual that could

only have developed in her family.



I was surprised then when I found in MW10 the other day the following:

trade-last: a complimentary remark by a third person that a hearer offers to

repeat to the person complimented if he or she will first report a compliment

made about the hearer.



Are either of these terms in anyone's active vocabulary? Does anyone actually do

this? Where do these terms come from? Any info appreciated.



Orin Hargraves

438 Bankard Road

Westminster, MD 21158

100422.2566[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]compuserve.com