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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
Lawn jockey
While reading Jeffrey Eugenides' "Middlesex" I came across the term "lawn jockey". At the time, I took it to mean a menial who sat bestride a sit-on lawn-mower.
Am I right?
Will.
Am I right?
Will.
Top answer
[nq:1]While reading Jeffrey Eugenides' "Middlesex" I came across the term "lawn jockey". At the time, I took it to mean a menial who sat bestride a sit-on lawn-mower. [/nq] It's a reasonable guess, and maybe someone used it metaphorically like that, but actually it usually refers to an actual, traditional ornament or statue originally a hitching post.
- [nq:1]While reading Jeffrey Eugenides' "Middlesex" I came across the term "lawn jockey".
- At the time, I took it to mean a menial who sat bestride a sit-on lawn-mower.
- [/nq] It's a reasonable guess, and maybe someone used it metaphorically like that, but actually it usually refers to an actual, traditional ornament or statue originally a hitching post.
- Here's a picture of one from Google Images: The earlier form would show a black servant or slave offering to hold one's horse; these became symbols of racism (like cigar-store Indians).
- Best - Donna Richoux
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19 Answers
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[nq:1]While reading Jeffrey Eugenides' "Middlesex" I came across the term "lawn jockey". At the time, I took it to mean a menial who sat bestride a sit-on lawn-mower. Am I right?[/nq]
It's a reasonable guess, and maybe someone used it metaphorically like that, but actually it usually refers to an actual, traditional ornament or statue originally a hitching post. Here's a picture of one from Go
It's a reasonable guess, and maybe someone used it metaphorically like that, but actually it usually refers to an actual, traditional ornament or statue originally a hitching post. Here's a picture of one from Go
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[nq:1]While reading Jeffrey Eugenides' "Middlesex" I came across the term "lawn jockey". At the time, I took it to mean a menial who sat bestride a sit-on lawn-mower.[/nq]
Of course, I meant either "who sat astride a sit-on lawn mower" or "who bestrode a sit-on lawn mower".
Will.
Of course, I meant either "who sat astride a sit-on lawn mower" or "who bestrode a sit-on lawn mower".
Will.
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[nq:2]While reading Jeffrey Eugenides' "Middlesex" I came across the term ... menial who sat bestride a sit-on lawn-mower. Am I right?[/nq]
[nq:1]It's a reasonable guess, and maybe someone used it metaphorically like that, but actually it usually refers to an actual, ... would show a black servant or slave offering to hold one's horse; these became symbols of racism (like cigar-store Indians).
[nq:1]It's a reasonable guess, and maybe someone used it metaphorically like that, but actually it usually refers to an actual, ... would show a black servant or slave offering to hold one's horse; these became symbols of racism (like cigar-store Indians).
00
[nq:1]While reading Jeffrey Eugenides' "Middlesex" I came across the term "lawn jockey". At the time, I took it to mean a menial who sat bestride a sit-on lawn-mower. Am I right?[/nq]
No: think garden gnome. The lawn jockey
(formerly usually Negro) about two feet high
is the single most common figurative lawn
ornament found in the USA.
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
No: think garden gnome. The lawn jockey
(formerly usually Negro) about two feet high
is the single most common figurative lawn
ornament found in the USA.
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
00
Jess Askin filted:
[nq:2]The earlier form would show a black servant or slave offering to hold one's horse; these became symbols of racism (like cigar-store Indians).[/nq]
[nq:1]Later replaced by a version where the guy looked kind of like Joey Bishop popular mostly with Jewish families, would be my guess.[/nq]
Why would Jewish families want a Bishop on their lawns?...
(Ba-RUM
[nq:2]The earlier form would show a black servant or slave offering to hold one's horse; these became symbols of racism (like cigar-store Indians).[/nq]
[nq:1]Later replaced by a version where the guy looked kind of like Joey Bishop popular mostly with Jewish families, would be my guess.[/nq]
Why would Jewish families want a Bishop on their lawns?...
(Ba-RUM
00
[nq:1]No: think garden gnome. The lawn jockey (formerly usually Negro) about two feet high is the single most common figurative lawn ornament found in the USA.[/nq]
Beating out pink flamingos?
http://www.genjerdan.com/nvm/tdis/index.html
Of course it's music. It has
Beating out pink flamingos?
http://www.genjerdan.com/nvm/tdis/index.html
Of course it's music. It has
00
[nq:1]The lawn jockey (formerly usually Negro) about two feet high is the single most common figurative lawn ornament found in the USA.[/nq]
More common than bathtub virgins? Not where I come from.
rzed
More common than bathtub virgins? Not where I come from.
rzed
00
[nq:2]While reading Jeffrey Eugenides' "Middlesex" I came across the term ... menial who sat bestride a sit-on lawn-mower. Am I right?[/nq]
[nq:1]No: think garden gnome. The lawn jockey (formerly usually Negro) about two feet high is the single most common figurative lawn ornament found in the USA.[/nq]
Don't forget the reflective ball and accompanying concrete Jesus.
Don
Kans
[nq:1]No: think garden gnome. The lawn jockey (formerly usually Negro) about two feet high is the single most common figurative lawn ornament found in the USA.[/nq]
Don't forget the reflective ball and accompanying concrete Jesus.
Don
Kans
00
[nq:2]While reading Jeffrey Eugenides' "Middlesex" I came across the term ... menial who sat bestride a sit-on lawn-mower. Am I right?[/nq]
[nq:1]It's a reasonable guess, and maybe someone used it metaphorically like that, but actually it usually refers to an actual, ... would show a black servant or slave offering to hold one's horse; these became symbols of racism (like cigar-store Indians).
[nq:1]It's a reasonable guess, and maybe someone used it metaphorically like that, but actually it usually refers to an actual, ... would show a black servant or slave offering to hold one's horse; these became symbols of racism (like cigar-store Indians).
00
[nq:2]It's a reasonable guess, and maybe someone used it metaphorically ... one's horse; these became symbols of racism (like cigar-store Indians).[/nq]
[nq:1]I read your reply (for which many thanks) and was minded to ask why such an item sould be called ... For the traditional variety, look here:
[nq:1]I read your reply (for which many thanks) and was minded to ask why such an item sould be called ... For the traditional variety, look here:
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