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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
Meaning(s) of "swab"
In the film "Gattica" I heard the word "swab" being used for the first time, possibly as a derogatory expression for a person. What additional meanings may be invoked besides the obvious term for "mop". As a member of the German tribe of the "Swabians" I would possibly feel offended by a negative implication. ;-)
reagrds
Emil
reagrds
Emil
Top answer
[nq:1]In the film "Gattica" I heard the word "swab" being used for the firsttime, possibly as a derogatory expression for a person. ) [nq:1]As a member of the German tribe of the "Swabians" I would possibly feel offended by a negative implication. ;-)[/nq] You would need a rule specifying why the similarity between Swabian and swab is offensive but not that that between Suevi and suave, etc.
- [nq:1]In the film "Gattica" I heard the word "swab" being used for the firsttime, possibly as a derogatory expression for a person.
- ) [nq:1]As a member of the German tribe of the "Swabians" I would possibly feel offended by a negative implication.
- ;-)[/nq] You would need a rule specifying why the similarity between Swabian and swab is offensive but not that that between Suevi and suave, etc.
- etc.
- Don Phillipson Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)
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43 Answers
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[nq:1]In the film "Gattica" I heard the word "swab" being used for the firsttime, possibly as a derogatory expression for a person. What additional meanings may be invoked besides the obvious term for "mop".[/nq]
It iis a common term for a young sailor (whose first task every day was mopping the deck clean.)
[nq:1]As a member of the German tribe of the "Swabians" I would possibly feel offe
It iis a common term for a young sailor (whose first task every day was mopping the deck clean.)
[nq:1]As a member of the German tribe of the "Swabians" I would possibly feel offe
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I've never heard "swab" used to describe a sailor. The trainees at the Orlando Naval Training Center (now closed) were always called "swabbies". Same source of meaning, but different form.
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[nq:2]time, It iis a common term for a young sailor (whose first task every day was mopping the deck clean.)[/nq]
[nq:1]I've never heard "swab" used to describe a sailor. The trainees at the Orlando Naval Training Center (now closed) were always called "swabbies". Same source of meaning, but different form.[/nq]
"Swab" for "sailor" is recognized in those online dictionaries I bothered to c
[nq:1]I've never heard "swab" used to describe a sailor. The trainees at the Orlando Naval Training Center (now closed) were always called "swabbies". Same source of meaning, but different form.[/nq]
"Swab" for "sailor" is recognized in those online dictionaries I bothered to c
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[nq:2]I've never heard "swab" used to describe a sailor. The ... always called "swabbies". Same source of meaning, but different form.[/nq]
[nq:1]"Swab" for "sailor" is recognized in those online dictionaries I bothered to check. Anyone who does American crossword puzzles should have encountered it. "Swabbie" is an obvious diminutive.[/nq]
Did I said "swab" was incorrect? What I said was "
[nq:1]"Swab" for "sailor" is recognized in those online dictionaries I bothered to check. Anyone who does American crossword puzzles should have encountered it. "Swabbie" is an obvious diminutive.[/nq]
Did I said "swab" was incorrect? What I said was "
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[nq:1]In the film "Gattica" I heard the word "swab" being used for the firsttime, possibly as a derogatory expression for ... As a member of the German tribe of the "Swabians" I would possibly feel offended by a negative implication. ;-)[/nq]
Gattaca is a film about a future totalitarian society in which DNA testing is routinely used to identify and track people. The samples for the tests are
Gattaca is a film about a future totalitarian society in which DNA testing is routinely used to identify and track people. The samples for the tests are
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[nq:1]Did I said "swab" was incorrect? What I said was "I've never heard...".[/nq]
Pity you may have missed lots of Popeye cartoons where Bluto commonly greets people, "Avast, ye swab!"
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)
Pity you may have missed lots of Popeye cartoons where Bluto commonly greets people, "Avast, ye swab!"
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)
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[nq:2]"Swab" for "sailor" is recognized in those online dictionaries I ... puzzles should have encountered it. "Swabbie" is an obvious diminutive.[/nq]
[nq:1]Did I said "swab" was incorrect? What I said was "I've never heard...". Please bother to read for meaning.[/nq]
Either I've lost my delicate touch or you're being overly sensitive, Tony. I wasn't criticizing you or attempting to contr
[nq:1]Did I said "swab" was incorrect? What I said was "I've never heard...". Please bother to read for meaning.[/nq]
Either I've lost my delicate touch or you're being overly sensitive, Tony. I wasn't criticizing you or attempting to contr
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[nq:2]Did I said "swab" was incorrect? What I said was "I've never heard...". Please bother to read for meaning.[/nq]
[nq:1]Either I've lost my delicate touch or you're being overly sensitive,[/nq]
The "I bothered" gave it a snappish tone with the implication that I didn't.
[nq:1]Tony. I wasn't criticizing you or attempting to contradict anything you said. I was I thought simply fillin
[nq:1]Either I've lost my delicate touch or you're being overly sensitive,[/nq]
The "I bothered" gave it a snappish tone with the implication that I didn't.
[nq:1]Tony. I wasn't criticizing you or attempting to contradict anything you said. I was I thought simply fillin
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[nq:2]I've never heard "swab" used to describe a sailor. The ... always called "swabbies". Same source of meaning, but different form.[/nq]
[nq:1]"Swab" for "sailor" is recognized in those online dictionaries I bothered to check. Anyone who does American crossword puzzles should have encountered it. "Swabbie" is an obvious diminutive.[/nq]
And I'm astonished this hasn't already triggered R
[nq:1]"Swab" for "sailor" is recognized in those online dictionaries I bothered to check. Anyone who does American crossword puzzles should have encountered it. "Swabbie" is an obvious diminutive.[/nq]
And I'm astonished this hasn't already triggered R
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[nq:1]And I'm astonished this hasn't already triggered Ross into a frenzy of "Avast, ye swabs!"[/nq]
Arrrh, matey, wait until September 19 (National Talk Like a Pirate Day).
Ray Heindl
(remove the Xs to reply)
Arrrh, matey, wait until September 19 (National Talk Like a Pirate Day).
Ray Heindl
(remove the Xs to reply)
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