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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
English in UK
"Fair play" - new useage?
I have noticed a new phrase has entered my vocabulary from TV in the last 3 months. It is "Fair play!", meaning "you have just made a reasonable point", "I agree with you", "I will do as you suggest" or "I concede the argument to you".
I thought this was a new phrase, but my husband disgrees. He says that he used to work with someone years ago who used "Fair play!" in this sense, but can give no other details. Is this a new phrase for the 21st century, or a long-established (perhaps regional) term that has just reached me through the media?
Regards,
Helen.
"It's the wrong trousers Gromit! And they've gone wrong!"
I thought this was a new phrase, but my husband disgrees. He says that he used to work with someone years ago who used "Fair play!" in this sense, but can give no other details. Is this a new phrase for the 21st century, or a long-established (perhaps regional) term that has just reached me through the media?
Regards,
Helen.
"It's the wrong trousers Gromit! And they've gone wrong!"
Top answer
On Thu, 15 Jan 2004 21:27:57 -00, "C-Beeby" [nq:1]I have noticed a new phrase has entered my vocabulary from TV in the last 3 months. It is "Fair ... [/nq] That exact use for the expression isn't one I've particularly noticed - I'd tend to use "Fair enough or "Fair dos".
- On Thu, 15 Jan 2004 21:27:57 -00, "C-Beeby" [nq:1]I have noticed a new phrase has entered my vocabulary from TV in the last 3 months.
- It is "Fair ...
- [/nq] That exact use for the expression isn't one I've particularly noticed - I'd tend to use "Fair enough or "Fair dos".
- I've used the latter verbally since a child and it suddenly occurs to me that I don't know how to spell it - "does" or "dos" aren't likely to suggest the appropriate pronunciation "dooz".
- Digressing, Partridge reports that "It's a fair cop" goes back to late C19th.
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3 Answers
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On Thu, 15 Jan 2004 21:27:57 -00, "C-Beeby"
[nq:1]I have noticed a new phrase has entered my vocabulary from TV in the last 3 months. It is "Fair ... new phrase for the 21st century, or a long-established (perhaps regional) term that has just reached me through the media?[/nq]
That exact use for the expression isn't one I've particularly noticed - I'd tend to use "Fair enough or "Fair dos
[nq:1]I have noticed a new phrase has entered my vocabulary from TV in the last 3 months. It is "Fair ... new phrase for the 21st century, or a long-established (perhaps regional) term that has just reached me through the media?[/nq]
That exact use for the expression isn't one I've particularly noticed - I'd tend to use "Fair enough or "Fair dos
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[nq:1]That exact use for the expression isn't one I've particularly noticed - I'd tend to use "Fair enough or "Fair ... that I don't know how to spell it - "does" or "dos" aren't likely to suggest the appropriate pronunciation "dooz".[/nq]
Is this a place where the greengrocer's apostrophe can be justified? "Fair do's".
Cheers,
Tony
Tony Mountifield
Work: (Email Removed)
Is this a place where the greengrocer's apostrophe can be justified? "Fair do's".
Cheers,
Tony
Tony Mountifield
Work: (Email Removed)
00
[nq:2]That exact use for the expression isn't one I've particularly ... or "dos" aren't likely to suggest the appropriate pronunciation "dooz".[/nq]
[nq:1]Is this a place where the greengrocer's apostrophe can be justified? "Fair do's".[/nq]
According to Chambers, yes, along with "dos" but not "does", which is reserved for the third person.
[nq:1]Is this a place where the greengrocer's apostrophe can be justified? "Fair do's".[/nq]
According to Chambers, yes, along with "dos" but not "does", which is reserved for the third person.
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