On Fri, Apr 12, 2002 at 12:28:31AM -0700, Eric G. Miller wrote: > On Thu, Apr 11, 2002 at 11:41:10PM -0700, ben wrote: > > On Thursday 11 April 2002 10:48 pm, Karsten M. Self wrote: > > [big snip} > > > > karsten, if there were a competition to construct the most impact-full > > phrase, you would have to win with "a modicum of clue." i swear, that kicks > > my ass. i'm sitting back with a drink in my hand cheering your linguistic > > audacity. after all, if we can't have some fun here, what's the fsking > > point > > of it all? i know that i'll use that phrase outside of this list. i'll try > > to > > remember to give you credit for it, but i hope you won't be offended if i > > forget. > > Etymology of "a modicum of [a] clue": > > <predecessor?> > "Get a clue!" > - origin ?? > "If <person> had half of a clue ..." > - origin ?? > "If <person> had a modicum of [a] clue ..." > - Karsten Self, [EMAIL PROTECTED], 2002 (original ?) > > modicum - 15c, a small portion: a limited quantity > > clue - (var clew) 15c, something that guides through an intricate > procedure or maze of difficulties; /specif./: a piece of evidence > that leads one toward a solution of a problem. (also: ball of thread, > yarn, or cord. a lower corner or only the after corner of a sail. > a metal loop attached to the lower corner of a sail. a combination of > lines by which a hammock is suspended.) > > Somehow, I think having "half" or "a modicum" of a clue is equivalent > to not having a clue; otherwise it'd be one ;-) So, saying, "if <xyz> > had half a clue ...", is bass ackwards. > > (definitions excerpted from Webster's 9th Collegiate Dictionary)
Since we're OTing in a linguistic direction here: It seems to me "clue" is being used as a mass noun now/on this list, as evidenced by the fact that Karsten wrote "a modicum of clue", not "a modicum of a clue", and by expressions like "more clue". OTOH, if a break a piece of evidence, are the parts not halves (or thirds, or whatever) of a clue ;-)? -- Note that I use Debian version 3.0 Linux mus 2.4.17mvz4 #1 Fri Mar 15 23:30:15 CET 2002 i686 unknown Matijs van Zuijlen -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
