Date: Tue, 24 Sep 1996 15:06:02 -0500

From: "Kathleen M. O'Neill" kate[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]UIC.EDU

Subject: Re: Chinese Fire Drill



Wayne Glowka spake thusly:

I don't know the origin, but I participated in at least one such drill in

high school at a red light in San Antonio, Texas, in the late '60's. I

laughed so hard I nearly cried.



I often threaten my wife with doing one every now and then, much to her horror.



My assistant and I were discussing this event

when a couple of our Chinese student workers

began asking where the expression came from.



That pretty much stumped us, so we started

digging in vain through all sorts of references,

and it began a painfully long discussion here. :)



So I'm just trying to settle this once and for all.



=^]



Kathleen M. O'Neill

Supervisor, UIC Language Laboratory

kate[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]uic.edu