PC PC - 'Police Squad' etymology of 'nitty-gritty'
halcombe
PR nervousness on 'ethnic issues' amongst 'London's finest' (no, that
certainly doesn't cross the pond!) leads them to believe any old
bollocks about language 'sensitivities' [1].
(For those that laughed about the DC Mayor Williams' difficulties with
the 'niggardly' man [2], here is payback.)
The Boys in Blue have been persuaded that 'nitty-gritty' has something
to do with the slave trade, and, consequently, that the expression
should not be used.
You would have hoped that those responsible for investigating the
capital's crimes would have asked, Where's the evidence?
Webster [3] states the etymology of the expression is 'unknown', and
dates it to.....1963! My SOED agrees on the date, suggests the origin
is 'uncertain' but probably US.
Far be it from me to suggest that the resources of the Metropolitan
Police in matters linguistic are less than extensive. And that, in a
craven manner, they have followed the line of least resistance to -
whomever it was first made the allegation about the origins of the
expression - and, in the process, made complete prats of themselves.
Perhaps Webster and the SOED are 200 years out in their dates. Or
perhaps we have another miscarriage of justice on our hands.
As for 'good egg' - the mere thought of even senior police officers
using this expression, trapped for ever in the amber of 1920s PG
Wodehouse-land, is utterly ridiculous.
(It seems correct, though, that 'egg and spoon' is Cockney rhyming
slang for 'coon' [4], though it's not one I'm familiar with. [The full
expression would, as is usual with such slang, not be used: one would
say "Couple of eggs came into my pub last night....".] Does that mean
fried egg should be off the menu in the police canteen?)
[1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,715660,00.html
[2] http://www.salon.com/media/poni/1999/02/02poni.html
[3] http://www.m-w.com/
[4] http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/ZE.HTM
*********************************************
Why nitty gritty has been ruled a no-no in the police lexicon
Nick Hopkins, crime correspondent
Wednesday May 15, 2002
The Guardian
Politically incorrect phrases that could lead to police officers
facing disciplinary action include "nitty gritty" and "good egg", a
conference was told yesterday.
The issue was raised when Home Office minister, John Denham, used
nitty gritty during a question session with delegates from the Police
Federation of England and Wales
Mr Denham was reproached by the audience, who pointed out the phrase
had been effectively banned by some forces, including the Metropolitan
police, because it is thought to originate in the 18th century slave
trade. "If I used nitty gritty I would face a disciplinary charge,"
said PC Chris Jefford, who challenged the minister.
Mr Denham's admission that he was "not aware" it could cause offence
led to a chorus of "It's banned" from the floor.
"Good egg" is deemed to be too closely associated with "egg and spoon"
- rhyming slang for "coon".
PC David Nixon, who advises Met officers on disciplinary matters, said
there was no list of banned phrases, but officers could face a charge
of breaching "tolerance" codes if anyone complained. "It is a
subjective test."
The Met said yesterday that no officers had faced disciplinary charges
for using nitty gritty or good egg, but confirmed it urged staff to
"make sure the language they use would not cause offence."
Guardian Unlimited Š Guardian Newspapers Limited 2002
welsh witch
--
http://www.walk-wales.org.uk/hercall.htm
http://www.walk-wales.org.uk/witchsgardenmay02.htm
"halcombe" <halc...@subdimension.com> wrote in message
news:d7fa3848.02051...@posting.google.com...
> (It seems correct, though, that 'egg and spoon' is Cockney rhyming
> slang for 'coon' [4], though it's not one I'm familiar with. [The
full
> expression would, as is usual with such slang, not be used: one
would
> say "Couple of eggs came into my pub last night....".] Does that
mean
> fried egg should be off the menu in the police canteen?)
>
>
>
> [1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,715660,00.html
> [2] http://www.salon.com/media/poni/1999/02/02poni.html
> [3] http://www.m-w.com/
> [4] http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/ZE.HTM
>
>
> *********************************************
If one didn't detest incomer before that feeling is gaining momentum
by the minute.
In the banana case the judge at one point said It's not right that
British citizen should have to plough through tomes of legal books to
knaow whether he's breaking the law or not.....
Right what a misery they're emaking our life...those who have given
them sanctuary this is how they
repay.http://www.walk-wales.org.uk/hercall.htm
http://www.walk-wales.org.uk/witchsgardenmay02.htm
Dan Scorpio
Does it also mean the demise of that great British tradition the 'egg
and spoon' race, stalwart of Shrove Tuesday and school sports days?
Dearie me, what are we coming to.
Perhaps we should note that 'offence' is a subjective process that
occurs between somebody's ears... so who's to police it, and on the
basis of what evidence? I personally find it offensive that certain
members of society would dare to attempt to manage my language.
As an aside, I find the (so PC) BBC's choice of the title 'Spooks' for
their new MFI drama highly ironic, particularly when it's shown
superimposed on the current trail.
Steve Smith
I was unaware of the Egg and Spoon slang terms but I will now make every
effort to use it as frequently as possible;-)
Should we be avoiding rhyming and similar sounding words too now? So thats
dogs and bogs out, and no more s*nigger*ing in the back there.
Its all madness.
Steve
Joona I Palaste
on alt.usage.english:
> Its all madness.
We are nearing the fruition of what I call Palaste's theorem about
Political Correctness: "Any word or term that people actually use in
everyday conversation will eventually be classified as Politically
Incorrect".
--
/-- Joona Palaste (pal...@cc.helsinki.fi) ---------------------------\
| Kingpriest of "The Flying Lemon Tree" G++ FR FW+ M- #108 D+ ADA N+++|
| http://www.helsinki.fi/~palaste W++ B OP+ |
\----------------------------------------- Finland rules! ------------/
"It sure is cool having money and chicks."
- Beavis and Butt-head
Robert Bannister
> Steve Smith <SteveS...@yahoo.com> scribbled the following
> on alt.usage.english:
> > "halcombe" <halc...@subdimension.com> wrote in message
> > news:d7fa3848.02051...@posting.google.com...
> >> You couldn't make it up.
>
> > I was unaware of the Egg and Spoon slang terms but I will now make every
> > effort to use it as frequently as possible;-)
>
> > Should we be avoiding rhyming and similar sounding words too now? So thats
> > dogs and bogs out, and no more s*nigger*ing in the back there.
>
> > Its all madness.
>
> We are nearing the fruition of what I call Palaste's theorem about
> Political Correctness: "Any word or term that people actually use in
> everyday conversation will eventually be classified as Politically
> Incorrect".
It's a bit like food: any item of food that people actually eat will eventually
be 'proved' to be carcinigerous (whoops! I can't spell that - carcinogenic?),
poisonous or fattening.
--
Rob Bannister