Date:  Tue, 18 Oct 1994 14:19:58 EDT

From:  Michael Montgomery <N270053[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]UNIVSCVM.CSD.SCAROLINA.EDU>

Subject: Offending idiom?



Natalie Maynor's mention of "Yankee" reminds me of something. The

following idiom would be ironic and, perhaps, offensive to some:



   "Let me give you a Yankee dime."

   "If you do this for me, I'll give you a Yankee dime."



The folks at DARE can doubtless inform us of the regional spread of

this, but it's a well-known phrase, among old-timers at least, in the

South. A "Yankee dime" is a kiss, and not necessarily a cheap one!

Perhaps DARE can speculate on its origin as well?



Michael Montgomery, Dept of English, U of South Carolina, Columbia SC 29208