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He's blown.
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tonbei
Nov 11, 2022, 10:50:39 AM11/11/22
to
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
'He's probably blown as far as Colombia is concerned.
("Clear and Present Danger " by Tom Clancy, p652)
context (or situation): 1) CIA headquarters, Langley
2)They're discussing about someone who has worked in Columbia for their secret operation.
3) He is an agent from CIA, and has kept a contract with the drug Cartel as a pilot for a long time.
4) But he had to get involved in Cartel's few members being killed, which would make the drug organization suspect that he might be related to the U.S., or a spy.
5) He can't stay there any longer. He should go out at once.
question: about "blown".
When you say that "a spy is blown", does it mean that "his cover is blown off to reveal what he is in fact, so worthless as a spy ?
'He's probably blown as far as Colombia is concerned.
("Clear and Present Danger " by Tom Clancy, p652)
context (or situation): 1) CIA headquarters, Langley
2)They're discussing about someone who has worked in Columbia for their secret operation.
3) He is an agent from CIA, and has kept a contract with the drug Cartel as a pilot for a long time.
4) But he had to get involved in Cartel's few members being killed, which would make the drug organization suspect that he might be related to the U.S., or a spy.
5) He can't stay there any longer. He should go out at once.
question: about "blown".
When you say that "a spy is blown", does it mean that "his cover is blown off to reveal what he is in fact, so worthless as a spy ?
Jerry Friedman
Nov 11, 2022, 11:03:02 AM11/11/22
to
is blown off" should be just "his cover is blown", in the slang that has
spread from spy fiction.
--
Jerry Friedman
Tony Cooper
Nov 11, 2022, 11:03:35 AM11/11/22
to
On Fri, 11 Nov 2022 07:50:36 -0800 (PST), tonbei <aut...@infoseek.jp>
wrote:
"Blown", in this context, means "revealed". A person whose cover is
blown and is revealed to be a spy, the person can no longer be
effective as a spy.
--
Tony Cooper - Orlando Florida
I read and post to this group as a form of entertainment.
wrote:
blown and is revealed to be a spy, the person can no longer be
effective as a spy.
--
Tony Cooper - Orlando Florida
I read and post to this group as a form of entertainment.
Lionel Edwards
Nov 11, 2022, 11:05:58 AM11/11/22
to
On Friday, November 11, 2022 at 3:50:39 PM UTC, tonbei wrote:
> I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
>
> 'He's probably blown as far as Colombia is concerned.
> ("Clear and Present Danger " by Tom Clancy, p652)
>
> context (or situation): 1) CIA headquarters, Langley
> 2)They're discussing about someone who has worked in Columbia for their secret operation.
You can say "They are discussing someone..." or "They are in a discussion about someone...",
> I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
>
> 'He's probably blown as far as Colombia is concerned.
> ("Clear and Present Danger " by Tom Clancy, p652)
>
> context (or situation): 1) CIA headquarters, Langley
> 2)They're discussing about someone who has worked in Columbia for their secret operation.
but not that.
> 3) He is an agent from CIA, and has kept a contract with the drug Cartel as a pilot for a long time.
> 4) But he had to get involved in Cartel's few members being killed, which would make the drug organization suspect that he might be related to the U.S., or a spy.
> 5) He can't stay there any longer. He should go out at once.
>
> question: about "blown".
> When you say that "a spy is blown", does it mean that "his cover is blown off to reveal what he is in fact, so worthless as a spy ?
Paul Carmichael
Nov 11, 2022, 11:50:59 AM11/11/22
to
--
Paul.
https://paulc.es/elpatio
Paul Wolff
Nov 11, 2022, 5:50:52 PM11/11/22
to
On Fri, 11 Nov 2022, at 08:05:54, Lionel Edwards posted:
It means he is quite exploded, like Bunbury. Blown stands for blown up
which means exploded. Once again, Oscar got there first.
--
Paul
which means exploded. Once again, Oscar got there first.
--
Paul
Horace LaBadie
Nov 12, 2022, 1:39:59 AM11/12/22
to
In article <c2838b87-6421-46a7...@googlegroups.com>,
Yes, and probably in danger were he not extracted (exfiltrated in spy
jargon) as soon as possible.
jargon) as soon as possible.
Tony Cooper
Nov 12, 2022, 1:53:40 AM11/12/22
to
"liquidated" by his own side because he was of no further use to them
and could provide information about cell.
I thought "liquidated" meant dissolved in acid to effectively make the
spy disappear. It wasn't long before I gathered from context in other
reading that "liquidated" just means "killed". I don't think I've
ever seen "liquidated" used in other context where someone is killed.
Bertel Lund Hansen
Nov 12, 2022, 2:53:50 AM11/12/22
to
Den 12.11.2022 kl. 07.53 skrev Tony Cooper:
> I thought "liquidated" meant dissolved in acid to effectively make the
> spy disappear. It wasn't long before I gathered from context in other
> reading that "liquidated" just means "killed". I don't think I've
> ever seen "liquidated" used in other context where someone is killed.
In Danish we use "likvideret" about a planned killing of someone.
> I thought "liquidated" meant dissolved in acid to effectively make the
> spy disappear. It wasn't long before I gathered from context in other
> reading that "liquidated" just means "killed". I don't think I've
> ever seen "liquidated" used in other context where someone is killed.
Usually there will be a specific motive for the killing. The killings of
Danish nazispies done by our freedom fighters are called "likvideringer".
Until now I didn't realise that it has to do with "liquid". It plays a
role that our "likvid" only is used about money: "likvide midler" =
"available money". That connection made no sense in the killing meaning.
--
Bertel
CDB
Nov 12, 2022, 9:08:26 AM11/12/22
to
On 11/11/2022 11:50 AM, Paul Carmichael wrote:
> Jerry Friedman escribió
> Jerry Friedman escribió
>> tonbei wrote:
>>> I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
>>> 'He's probably blown as far as Colombia is concerned. ("Clear and
>>> Present Danger " by Tom Clancy, p652)
>>> context (or situation): 1) CIA headquarters, Langley 2)They're
>>> discussing about someone who has worked in Columbia for their
>>> secret operation. 3) He is an agent from CIA, and has kept a
>>> contract with the drug Cartel as a pilot for a long time. 4) But
>>> he had to get involved in Cartel's few members being killed,
>>> which would make the drug organization suspect that he might be
>>> related to the U.S., or a spy. 5) He can't stay there any longer.
>>> He should go out at once.
>>> question: about "blown". When you say that "a spy is blown", does
>>> it mean that "his cover is blown off to reveal what he is in
>>> fact, so worthless as a spy ?
>> I hadn't seen it before, but that's how it looks to me. However,
>> your "his cover is blown off" should be just "his cover is blown",
>> in the slang that has spread from spy fiction.
> I'm afraid I got to "discussing about" and my pedantic nerve had a
> fit.
It's like cussing but discursive, like.
>>> I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
>>> 'He's probably blown as far as Colombia is concerned. ("Clear and
>>> Present Danger " by Tom Clancy, p652)
>>> context (or situation): 1) CIA headquarters, Langley 2)They're
>>> discussing about someone who has worked in Columbia for their
>>> secret operation. 3) He is an agent from CIA, and has kept a
>>> contract with the drug Cartel as a pilot for a long time. 4) But
>>> he had to get involved in Cartel's few members being killed,
>>> which would make the drug organization suspect that he might be
>>> related to the U.S., or a spy. 5) He can't stay there any longer.
>>> He should go out at once.
>>> question: about "blown". When you say that "a spy is blown", does
>>> it mean that "his cover is blown off to reveal what he is in
>>> fact, so worthless as a spy ?
>> I hadn't seen it before, but that's how it looks to me. However,
>> your "his cover is blown off" should be just "his cover is blown",
>> in the slang that has spread from spy fiction.
> I'm afraid I got to "discussing about" and my pedantic nerve had a
> fit.
Peter T. Daniels
Nov 12, 2022, 9:14:35 AM11/12/22
to
explosions.
Tony Cooper
Nov 12, 2022, 10:09:43 AM11/12/22
to
from "The Importance of Being Earnest" as an example of blown up or
explosions, but I don't think there's a pondial aspect.
charles
Nov 12, 2022, 10:45:14 AM11/12/22
to
In article <9114f841-a6f3-4711...@googlegroups.com>,
the wind took off your cover, so you could be seen.
--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4té
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle
Peter T. Daniels <gram...@verizon.net> wrote:
--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4té
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle
Rich Ulrich
Nov 12, 2022, 1:43:13 PM11/12/22
to
Someone who has a loan called due might have to take a loss
(take a bath?) by liquidating other investments at a bad price.
"Liquidating" an asset entirely would describe selling off all
of your holdings in that company -- abandoning it. That might
entail bankruptcy and going out of business.
Without any guidance in the matter, I've always assumed that
"liquidating" a dangerous agent called upon the business
metaphor, investment or closing.
Today I wonder for the first time if "wet work" as the idiom for
the work of assassins is an extension of "liquidating". I have
previously ignored my lack of curiosity about wet work. Hmm,
I don't really like it, there should be something better.
--
Rich Ulrich
Sam Plusnet
Nov 12, 2022, 2:04:58 PM11/12/22
to
--
Sam Plusnet
Paul Wolff
Nov 12, 2022, 3:11:21 PM11/12/22
to
On Sat, 12 Nov 2022, at 10:09:38, Tony Cooper posted:
I thought it was obvious. "He's probably blown..." is treating the verb
'blow' as transitive. To blow something - well, it could be a horn
('Come blow your horn' with Sinatra in the movie) or it could be a
bridge (think Ukraine). Yes, I could have left 'up' out of 'blown up'
and been more direct. The point in each case (spy, Bunbury) is that a
cover story is demolished, never to be restored. Whether the actual verb
is 'blown' or 'exploded' makes no difference. The image left in the mind
is the same. Myths traditionally get exploded as well, by the way. Is
exploding a myth pondial?
--
Paul
'blow' as transitive. To blow something - well, it could be a horn
('Come blow your horn' with Sinatra in the movie) or it could be a
bridge (think Ukraine). Yes, I could have left 'up' out of 'blown up'
and been more direct. The point in each case (spy, Bunbury) is that a
cover story is demolished, never to be restored. Whether the actual verb
is 'blown' or 'exploded' makes no difference. The image left in the mind
is the same. Myths traditionally get exploded as well, by the way. Is
exploding a myth pondial?
--
Paul
Tony Cooper
Nov 12, 2022, 4:44:54 PM11/12/22
to
used in connection with "blown up" and "exploded".
"His life has been romanticized in film, his likeness has been
preserved in masks, and his legacy has morphed into an almost mythical
tale of anti-government rebellion, anarchy, and subversion."
Jerry Friedman
Nov 12, 2022, 7:44:48 PM11/12/22
to
On Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 8:09:43 AM UTC-7, Tony Cooper wrote:
> On Sat, 12 Nov 2022 06:14:32 -0800 (PST), "Peter T. Daniels"
> <gram...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
> >On Friday, November 11, 2022 at 5:50:52 PM UTC-5, Paul Wolff wrote:
> >> On Fri, 11 Nov 2022, at 08:05:54, Lionel Edwards posted:
> >> >On Friday, November 11, 2022 at 3:50:39 PM UTC, tonbei wrote:
[T. Clancy]
> On Sat, 12 Nov 2022 06:14:32 -0800 (PST), "Peter T. Daniels"
> <gram...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
> >On Friday, November 11, 2022 at 5:50:52 PM UTC-5, Paul Wolff wrote:
> >> On Fri, 11 Nov 2022, at 08:05:54, Lionel Edwards posted:
> >> >On Friday, November 11, 2022 at 3:50:39 PM UTC, tonbei wrote:
> >> >> When you say that "a spy is blown", does it mean that "his cover is
> >> >>blown off to reveal what he is in fact, so worthless as a spy ?
> >> >...so he is worthless as a spy? Yes exactly that.
> >>
> >> It means he is quite exploded, like Bunbury. Blown stands for blown up
> >> which means exploded. Once again, Oscar got there first.
> >
> >Could it be Pondian? "Blowing one's cover" has nothing to do with
> >explosions.
> I don't have the slightest idea why Paul chose to bring in Bunbury
> from "The Importance of Being Earnest" as an example of blown up or
> explosions, but I don't think there's a pondial aspect.
--
Jerry Friedman
Jerry Friedman
Nov 12, 2022, 7:52:43 PM11/12/22
to
I suspect "blow someone's cover" is from the "squander (money)" sense
and the "bungle" sense. The OED puts both of those with the transitive
"exhale" sense.
--
Jerry Friedman
Jerry Friedman
Nov 12, 2022, 8:15:31 PM11/12/22
to
blown".
The OED, etymonline, and /Green's Dictionary of Slang/ are no help here.
--
Jerry Friedman
Bertel Lund Hansen
Nov 13, 2022, 12:58:23 AM11/13/22
to
Den 12.11.2022 kl. 19.43 skrev Rich Ulrich:
> AmE has "liquid assets" as a standard term for "available money."
> Someone who has a loan called due might have to take a loss
> (take a bath?) by liquidating other investments at a bad price.
> "Liquidating" an asset entirely would describe selling off all
> of your holdings in that company -- abandoning it. That might
> entail bankruptcy and going out of business.
That is precisely the same in Danish.
> AmE has "liquid assets" as a standard term for "available money."
> Someone who has a loan called due might have to take a loss
> (take a bath?) by liquidating other investments at a bad price.
> "Liquidating" an asset entirely would describe selling off all
> of your holdings in that company -- abandoning it. That might
> entail bankruptcy and going out of business.
> Without any guidance in the matter, I've always assumed that
> "liquidating" a dangerous agent called upon the business
> metaphor, investment or closing.
> Today I wonder for the first time if "wet work" as the idiom for
> the work of assassins is an extension of "liquidating". I have
> previously ignored my lack of curiosity about wet work. Hmm,
> I don't really like it, there should be something better.
--
Bertel
Paul Wolff
Nov 13, 2022, 6:18:04 AM11/13/22
to
On Sat, 12 Nov 2022, at 16:44:49, Tony Cooper posted:
Nah, he was just a regular guy, you know?
--
Paul
>On Sat, 12 Nov 2022 20:07:13 +0000, Paul Wolff
>>On Sat, 12 Nov 2022, at 10:09:38, Tony Cooper posted:
>>>On Sat, 12 Nov 2022 06:14:32 -0800 (PST), "Peter T. Daniels"
>>>On Sat, 12 Nov 2022 06:14:32 -0800 (PST), "Peter T. Daniels"
--
Paul
CDB
Nov 13, 2022, 8:47:27 AM11/13/22
to
>> Paul Wolff wrote:
>>> Lionel Edwards posted:
"Algernon: Bunbury? Oh, he was quite exploded.
...
My dear Aunt Augusta, I mean he was found out."
>>> Lionel Edwards posted:
...
My dear Aunt Augusta, I mean he was found out."
Paul Wolff
Nov 13, 2022, 9:18:11 AM11/13/22
to
On Sun, 13 Nov 2022, at 08:47:22, CDB posted:
Thank you!
The spy was blown, Bunbury was exploded, both were found out.
--
Paul
The spy was blown, Bunbury was exploded, both were found out.
--
Paul
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