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What is this mean "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose"
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Sangeui Lee
Jan 21, 2016, 11:37:20 PM1/21/16
to
The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry didn't come yet.
So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in dictionary.
2) woundn't have been a good mix : i can't find this mean in dictionary too.
It would be great if you would help me. And thank you so much for the past questions.
Peter Moylan
Jan 21, 2016, 11:50:12 PM1/21/16
to
On 2016-Jan-22 15:37, Sangeui Lee wrote:
>
> The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry didn't come yet.
> So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
>
> 1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in dictionary.
Don't you mean "him"? Harry is a male name. Oh, and you should say
>
> The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry didn't come yet.
> So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
>
> 1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in dictionary.
"meaning", not "mean".
A punt means a bet, so the sentence means "it was a bit of a gamble
asking him". Depending on context, this either means it was a risky
thing to do, or (more likely) that it was unlikely that he would come.
> 2) woundn't have been a good mix : i can't find this mean in dictionary too.
good combination. Presumably Harry is bad company when he's drunk.
--
Peter Moylan http://www.pmoylan.org
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Tony Cooper
Jan 22, 2016, 12:51:07 AM1/22/16
to
an American or British author.
A "punt", in AmE, is a play used in American football. It is done on
the fourth down when the team with the ball is unable to advance the
ball enough in three downs to make a first down to continue in
possession of the ball. In AmE slang, it is used to mean something
close to a desperation move or something that is a gamble.
A "punt", in BrE, is a bet and in IrishEnglish it was a unit of
currency.
I suspect your quote is by an American with the near-desperation or
gamble meaning. Not a "gamble" as a bet, but a gamble as in taking a
risk.
"(Not) a good mix" means something with incompatible elements. Oil
and water is not a good mix, and two people may not be a good mix.
However, the sentence indicates that too much drinking at the free bar
may make it not a good mix.
Those knowledgeable about American football know that a punt may be
called on any down, and not just the fourth down, but I'm going for
the simple explanation here.
--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida
Lewis
Jan 22, 2016, 4:43:07 AM1/22/16
to
In message <7f786b99-0fba-42ed...@googlegroups.com>
extension of that. "a bit of a punt" here means that asking her was
unlikely to be more than a waste of time.
> 2) woundn't have been a good mix : i can't find this mean in
> dictionary too.
A good mix at a party is when you have a group of people that are all
on the same basic level of party-animal. If you have a dinner-party sort
of gathering with wine and cheese and one of the guests is drinking
tequila from the bottle and talking about the faked moon landings, and
her spotty sexual encounters, you don't have a good mix.
--
I take my advice from the advertising world, "Treat me nice," says the
party girl. Coke adds life where there isn't any
Sangeui Lee <lees...@gmail.com> wrote:
> The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry
> didn't come yet. So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he
> replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar,
> woundn't have been a good mix"
> 1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in
> dictionary.
One of the meanings of punt is 'to bet against' and this use is an
> The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry
> didn't come yet. So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he
> replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar,
> woundn't have been a good mix"
> 1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in
> dictionary.
extension of that. "a bit of a punt" here means that asking her was
unlikely to be more than a waste of time.
> 2) woundn't have been a good mix : i can't find this mean in
> dictionary too.
on the same basic level of party-animal. If you have a dinner-party sort
of gathering with wine and cheese and one of the guests is drinking
tequila from the bottle and talking about the faked moon landings, and
her spotty sexual encounters, you don't have a good mix.
--
I take my advice from the advertising world, "Treat me nice," says the
party girl. Coke adds life where there isn't any
Harrison Hill
Jan 22, 2016, 5:28:17 AM1/22/16
to
HADN'T come yet.
"it was a bit of punt asking HIM"?
I agree with the other BrE (British English) people that "punt" means
"gamble" - "there was a slim chance that he would come to the party".
In the game of Rugby a "punt" is a kick down the field; a "long shot" -
and in gambling too a "long shot" is an "outsider". So they all represent
the same thing - "punt" has both meanings to give it extra richness :)
"woudn't have been a good mix".
He is a display of "sour grapes" (from one of Aesop's fables). If something
you want to happen doesn't happen, you can rationalise it by saying (to
yourself): "It wouldn't have worked anyway!". In Aesop's fable an animal
tries everything he can to get grapes down from a tree; but when he is
unsuccessful reassure himself that the grapes were probably sour; that
he is better off without them :)
Harrison Hill
Jan 22, 2016, 5:30:46 AM1/22/16
to
"...reassures himself...
Peter Moylan
Jan 22, 2016, 6:07:39 AM1/22/16
to
On 2016-Jan-22 16:51, Tony Cooper wrote:
> This is a case where you need to name the book or at least if it's by
> an American or British author.
>
> A "punt", in AmE, is a play used in American football. It is done on
> the fourth down when the team with the ball is unable to advance the
> ball enough in three downs to make a first down to continue in
> possession of the ball. In AmE slang, it is used to mean something
> close to a desperation move or something that is a gamble.
>
> A "punt", in BrE, is a bet and in IrishEnglish it was a unit of
> currency.
In AusE it is simply a gamble. Punters are people who bet on something,
> This is a case where you need to name the book or at least if it's by
> an American or British author.
>
> A "punt", in AmE, is a play used in American football. It is done on
> the fourth down when the team with the ball is unable to advance the
> ball enough in three downs to make a first down to continue in
> possession of the ball. In AmE slang, it is used to mean something
> close to a desperation move or something that is a gamble.
>
> A "punt", in BrE, is a bet and in IrishEnglish it was a unit of
> currency.
e.g. a horse race.
"Punt" also has a meaning in (Australian Rules) football, but it would
not mean that unless the context made it clear that we were talking
about football.
![Peter Duncanson [BrE]'s profile photo](http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjU1GGYFBCZgBCNB-pRgkosMu-ej0qpnECw3jc8uGYOTiF8a=s40-c)
Peter Duncanson [BrE]
Jan 22, 2016, 7:24:43 AM1/22/16
to
This gives those and other definitions of "punt":
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/punf
punt 1
noun
A long, narrow flat-bottomed boat, square at both ends and propelled
with a long pole, used on inland waters chiefly for recreation.
punt 2
verb
[with object]
1 [with adverbial of direction] Soccer Kick (the ball) a long
distance upfield
2 American Football & Rugby Kick the ball after it has dropped from
the hands and before it reaches the ground
noun
An act of punting a ball
punt 3
verb
[no object]
1 (In some gambling card games) lay a stake against the bank.
1.1 British informal Bet or speculate on something
noun
A bet
Phrases
take (or have) a punt at
Australian /NZ informal Attempt to do (something).
punt 4
noun
(Until the introduction of the euro in 2002) the basic monetary unit
of the Republic of Ireland, equal to 100 pence
{The Irish word "punt" was derived from the original English word
for the monetary unit: "pound".}
There is a slang use of "punt" 3, sense 1.1, in BrE.
http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/p.htm
punter Noun. Generally a customer of any business. {Informal}
The idea behind that is that when a customer buys something he/she is
taking a chance (gambling) because what they get for their money might
not be what they were hoping for.
--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)
Janet
Jan 22, 2016, 8:20:45 AM1/22/16
to
In article <7f786b99-0fba-42ed...@googlegroups.com>,
lees...@gmail.com says...
bets are often called punters in br.E.
Bets are uncertain and many don't win. So "taking a punt" on inviting
someone to a party, means there was no certainty she would accept or
attend.
"> 2) woundn't have been a good mix : i can't find this mean in
dictionary too."
For some reason, the person implies that the absent guest and a free
bar might have been an unfortunate combination (either, she would get
very drunk; or be very offended when other people did).
Free bar; one at which there's a free supply of alcohol.
Janet.
lees...@gmail.com says...
>
> The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry didn't come yet.
> So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
>
> 1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in dictionary.
>
> The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry didn't come yet.
> So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
>
> 1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in dictionary.
>
> It would be great if you would help me. And thank you so much for the past questions.
One of the meanings of "punt" is a bet, or wager; people who place
bets are often called punters in br.E.
Bets are uncertain and many don't win. So "taking a punt" on inviting
someone to a party, means there was no certainty she would accept or
attend.
"> 2) woundn't have been a good mix : i can't find this mean in
dictionary too."
bar might have been an unfortunate combination (either, she would get
very drunk; or be very offended when other people did).
Free bar; one at which there's a free supply of alcohol.
Janet.
Lewis
Jan 22, 2016, 8:40:57 AM1/22/16
to
In message <7a008bc7-abf1-4529...@googlegroups.com>
a man?
--
Lead me not into temptation, I can find the way.
Harrison Hill <harrison...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Friday, 22 January 2016 04:37:20 UTC, Sangeui Lee wrote:
>> The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry didn't come yet.
>> So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
>>
>> 1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in dictionary.
>> 2) woundn't have been a good mix : i can't find this mean in dictionary too.
>>
>> It would be great if you would help me. And thank you so much for the past questions.
>
> The situation WAS THAT HE EXPECTED Harry to come to the party, but Harry
> HADN'T come yet.
>
> "it was a bit of punt asking HIM"?
>
> I agree with the other BrE (British English) people that "punt" means
> "gamble" - "there was a slim chance that he would come to the party".
> In the game of Rugby a "punt" is a kick down the field; a "long shot" -
> and in gambling too a "long shot" is an "outsider". So they all represent
> the same thing - "punt" has both meanings to give it extra richness :)
Why are you assuming, to the point of correcting the text, that Harry is
> On Friday, 22 January 2016 04:37:20 UTC, Sangeui Lee wrote:
>> The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry didn't come yet.
>> So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
>>
>> 1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in dictionary.
>> 2) woundn't have been a good mix : i can't find this mean in dictionary too.
>>
>> It would be great if you would help me. And thank you so much for the past questions.
>
> The situation WAS THAT HE EXPECTED Harry to come to the party, but Harry
> HADN'T come yet.
>
> "it was a bit of punt asking HIM"?
>
> I agree with the other BrE (British English) people that "punt" means
> "gamble" - "there was a slim chance that he would come to the party".
> In the game of Rugby a "punt" is a kick down the field; a "long shot" -
> and in gambling too a "long shot" is an "outsider". So they all represent
> the same thing - "punt" has both meanings to give it extra richness :)
a man?
--
Lead me not into temptation, I can find the way.
Peter Moylan
Jan 22, 2016, 8:53:43 AM1/22/16
to
On 2016-Jan-23 00:38, Lewis wrote:
> Why are you assuming, to the point of correcting the text, that Harry is
> a man?
We assume, rightly or wrongly, that the trouble-maker is male. The OP
> Why are you assuming, to the point of correcting the text, that Harry is
> a man?
has not yet clarified this point
Tony Cooper
Jan 22, 2016, 10:49:22 AM1/22/16
to
situation.
Person A: I called the pharmacy and re-ordered my prescription of
Dramamime for sea-sickness, and we leave for the cruise first thing in
the morning.
Person B: What are you going to do if the prescription isn't ready?
Person A: Punt, I suppose.
It stems from the AmE football usage in that the team adjusts to the
situation of not making a first down in three tries, but there is no
bet or gamble involved.
What I tried to get across to the OP is that identifying the
book/author as either an AmE or BrE user is vital to understanding.
All the BrE speakers are picking up on the bet or gamble meaning, and
I'm going for the "adjust to the situation" meaning.
Harrison Hill
Jan 22, 2016, 11:32:45 AM1/22/16
to
On Friday, 22 January 2016 13:20:45 UTC, Janet wrote:
> In article <7f786b99-0fba-42ed...@googlegroups.com>,
> lees...@gmail.com says...
> >
> > The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry didn't come yet.
> > So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
> >
> > 1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in dictionary.
>
> >
> > It would be great if you would help me. And thank you so much for the past questions.
>
> One of the meanings of "punt" is a bet, or wager; people who place
> bets are often called punters in br.E.
The "punter" as a better (bettor) has becomes synonymous with
> In article <7f786b99-0fba-42ed...@googlegroups.com>,
> lees...@gmail.com says...
> >
> > The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry didn't come yet.
> > So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
> >
> > 1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in dictionary.
>
> >
> > It would be great if you would help me. And thank you so much for the past questions.
>
> One of the meanings of "punt" is a bet, or wager; people who place
> bets are often called punters in br.E.
"any customer" in Estuary; via London Taxi-Driver speak.
Peter Duncanson [BrE]
Jan 22, 2016, 11:50:26 AM1/22/16
to
the situation" meaning.
That sense is not included in Oxford Online's AmE dictionary. It does
give this in the ball punting section:
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american_english/punt#nav2
[no object] Delay in answering or taking action; equivocate:
"he would continue to punt on questions of Medicare"
"But there's a reason why most of the investigations into the prison
have punted on the essential question of executive responsibility."
"Edgeio seems to be punting on that question for the moment."
"When the case finally made it to the Commission two years later,
the court punted on the constitutionality question."
Sneaky O. Possum
Jan 22, 2016, 12:28:05 PM1/22/16
to
Peter Moylan <pe...@pmoylan.org.invalid> wrote in
news:n7sc8r$v2a$1...@dont-email.me:
> On 2016-Jan-22 15:37, Sangeui Lee wrote:
>>
>> The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry
>> didn't come yet. So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he
>> replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free
>> bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
>>
>> 1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in
>> dictionary.
>
> Don't you mean "him"? Harry is a male name.
Unfortunately it isn't clear who 'his' refers to in 'his wife.' As given,
the situation could be that the man who expected Harry to come called him
to find out if he was coming: Harry asked his wife if he could go to the
party and his wife said 'I'm sorry' (i.e., 'No, you can't go'). 'It was a
bit of a punt asking her, I suppose' could be Harry's reply to the man
who expected him to come to the party, with the meaning 'Asking my wife
if I could go was a gamble that was unlikely to pay off.'
> Oh, and you should say "meaning", not "mean".
>
> A punt means a bet, so the sentence means "it was a bit of a gamble
> asking him". Depending on context, this either means it was a risky
> thing to do, or (more likely) that it was unlikely that he would come.
>
>> 2) woundn't have been a good mix : i can't find this mean in
>> dictionary too.
>
> Having Harry and free alcohol in the same room would not have been a
> good combination. Presumably Harry is bad company when he's drunk.
It's not clear whether it's Harry or the other man saying 'still, free
bar, wouldn't have been a good mix.' If it's Harry, then we may infer
that he has a tendency to overindulge in booze and he's trying to reform
his habits, which would also help explain why his wife doesn't want him
to go.
--
S.O.P.
news:n7sc8r$v2a$1...@dont-email.me:
> On 2016-Jan-22 15:37, Sangeui Lee wrote:
>>
>> The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry
>> didn't come yet. So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he
>> replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free
>> bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
>>
>> 1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in
>> dictionary.
>
> Don't you mean "him"? Harry is a male name.
the situation could be that the man who expected Harry to come called him
to find out if he was coming: Harry asked his wife if he could go to the
party and his wife said 'I'm sorry' (i.e., 'No, you can't go'). 'It was a
bit of a punt asking her, I suppose' could be Harry's reply to the man
who expected him to come to the party, with the meaning 'Asking my wife
if I could go was a gamble that was unlikely to pay off.'
> Oh, and you should say "meaning", not "mean".
>
> A punt means a bet, so the sentence means "it was a bit of a gamble
> asking him". Depending on context, this either means it was a risky
> thing to do, or (more likely) that it was unlikely that he would come.
>
>> 2) woundn't have been a good mix : i can't find this mean in
>> dictionary too.
>
> Having Harry and free alcohol in the same room would not have been a
> good combination. Presumably Harry is bad company when he's drunk.
bar, wouldn't have been a good mix.' If it's Harry, then we may infer
that he has a tendency to overindulge in booze and he's trying to reform
his habits, which would also help explain why his wife doesn't want him
to go.
--
S.O.P.
Peter T. Daniels
Jan 22, 2016, 1:35:45 PM1/22/16
to
> It stems from the AmE football usage in that the team adjusts to the
> situation of not making a first down in three tries, but there is no
> bet or gamble involved.
>
> What I tried to get across to the OP is that identifying the
> book/author as either an AmE or BrE user is vital to understanding.
> All the BrE speakers are picking up on the bet or gamble meaning, and
> I'm going for the "adjust to the situation" meaning.
explanation.
Jerry Friedman
Jan 22, 2016, 2:51:18 PM1/22/16
to
http://arianedevere.livejournal.com/65379.html
(I like the way the transcriber politely asks for credit if people use
the transcript but doesn't credit the writers of the episode, much
less worry about the copyright.)
--
Jerry Friedman
Lewis
Jan 22, 2016, 3:30:33 PM1/22/16
to
In message <n7tc3u$2nm$1...@dont-email.me>
--
Do Alaska and Hawaii have Interstate Highways?
Peter Moylan <pe...@pmoylan.org.invalid> wrote:
> On 2016-Jan-23 00:38, Lewis wrote:
>> Why are you assuming, to the point of correcting the text, that Harry is
>> a man?
> We assume, rightly or wrongly, that the trouble-maker is male. The OP
> has not yet clarified this point
Harry was clearly identified as she.
> On 2016-Jan-23 00:38, Lewis wrote:
>> Why are you assuming, to the point of correcting the text, that Harry is
>> a man?
> We assume, rightly or wrongly, that the trouble-maker is male. The OP
> has not yet clarified this point
--
Do Alaska and Hawaii have Interstate Highways?
David Kleinecke
Jan 22, 2016, 4:29:31 PM1/22/16
to
On Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 9:51:07 PM UTC-8, Tony Cooper wrote:
> On Thu, 21 Jan 2016 20:37:16 -0800 (PST), Sangeui Lee
> <lees...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry didn't come yet.
> >So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
> >
> >1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in dictionary.
> >2) woundn't have been a good mix : i can't find this mean in dictionary too.
> >
> >It would be great if you would help me. And thank you so much for the past questions.
>
> This is a case where you need to name the book or at least if it's by
> an American or British author.
>
> A "punt", in AmE, is a play used in American football. It is done on
> the fourth down when the team with the ball is unable to advance the
> ball enough in three downs to make a first down to continue in
> possession of the ball. In AmE slang, it is used to mean something
> close to a desperation move or something that is a gamble.
I think the nuance is giving up rather making a desperate move.
> On Thu, 21 Jan 2016 20:37:16 -0800 (PST), Sangeui Lee
> <lees...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >The situation is he expect Harry to come to the party, but Harry didn't come yet.
> >So his wife said "i'm sorry" to him and then he replied "it was a bit of punt asking her, i suppose" "still, free bar, woundn't have been a good mix"
> >
> >1) it was a bit of punt asking her : i can't find this mean in dictionary.
> >2) woundn't have been a good mix : i can't find this mean in dictionary too.
> >
> >It would be great if you would help me. And thank you so much for the past questions.
>
> This is a case where you need to name the book or at least if it's by
> an American or British author.
>
> A "punt", in AmE, is a play used in American football. It is done on
> the fourth down when the team with the ball is unable to advance the
> ball enough in three downs to make a first down to continue in
> possession of the ball. In AmE slang, it is used to mean something
> close to a desperation move or something that is a gamble.
A desperate move might be a Hail Mary.
Tony Cooper
Jan 22, 2016, 5:59:13 PM1/22/16
to
Robin Bignall
Jan 22, 2016, 6:50:40 PM1/22/16
to
On Fri, 22 Jan 2016 22:07:36 +1100, Peter Moylan
<pe...@pmoylan.org.invalid> wrote:
<pe...@pmoylan.org.invalid> wrote:
>On 2016-Jan-22 16:51, Tony Cooper wrote:
>> This is a case where you need to name the book or at least if it's by
>> an American or British author.
>>
>> A "punt", in AmE, is a play used in American football. It is done on
>> the fourth down when the team with the ball is unable to advance the
>> ball enough in three downs to make a first down to continue in
>> possession of the ball. In AmE slang, it is used to mean something
>> close to a desperation move or something that is a gamble.
>>
>> A "punt", in BrE, is a bet and in IrishEnglish it was a unit of
>> currency.
>
>In AusE it is simply a gamble. Punters are people who bet on something,
>e.g. a horse race.
>
I thought one modern meaning of 'punter' was 'sucker', of which the
>> This is a case where you need to name the book or at least if it's by
>> an American or British author.
>>
>> A "punt", in AmE, is a play used in American football. It is done on
>> the fourth down when the team with the ball is unable to advance the
>> ball enough in three downs to make a first down to continue in
>> possession of the ball. In AmE slang, it is used to mean something
>> close to a desperation move or something that is a gamble.
>>
>> A "punt", in BrE, is a bet and in IrishEnglish it was a unit of
>> currency.
>
>In AusE it is simply a gamble. Punters are people who bet on something,
>e.g. a horse race.
>
famous circus owner (Barnum?) said that a new one was born every minute.
--
Robin Bignall
Herts, England (BrE)
Robin Bignall
Jan 22, 2016, 6:52:42 PM1/22/16
to
American "John" is used, too.
martin.ambuhl
Jan 23, 2016, 2:47:06 AM1/23/16
to
/pVnt/
E18.
[French ponte or Spanish ponto point; in later use from PUNT verb1.]
1. A person who plays against the bank in baccarat, faro, etc. E18.
2. A point in the game of faro. M19.
3. A bet, a gamble. colloq. M20.
take a punt Austral. take a chance or risk.
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