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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
English in UK
Pipped (at/on/to) the post
A history of the Sunderland Football Club at
http://www.answers.com/topic/sunderland-a-f-c uses both of the phrases "pipped to the post" and "pipped at the post".
The relevant sentences are
Sunderland's first season in their new home yet again involved them being pipped to the post, as they
finished third in a tougher-than-usual Division One.
In the 1999-2000 season, Sunderland finished seventh in the Premiership ? their highest finish since 4th place in 1955. Again the team was pipped at the post on the last day of the season, this time missing out on a place in European competition.
The Oxford English Dictionary has under "pip v(3)" definition 1c
c. To anticipate or forestall (someone) in a
particular activity, circumstance, etc.; spec. in phr. to pip at (or on) the post, to defeat by a narrow
margin at the last moment; also ellipt.
This seems to say that "pipped at the post" and "pipped on the post" have the same meaning, but how about "pipped to the post"?
It seems a little strange that a writer would use the two phrases within a paragraph or so in the same discussion without having some different shade of meaning in mind.
Is there a difference, however slight, in connotation?
http://www.answers.com/topic/sunderland-a-f-c uses both of the phrases "pipped to the post" and "pipped at the post".
The relevant sentences are
Sunderland's first season in their new home yet again involved them being pipped to the post, as they
finished third in a tougher-than-usual Division One.
In the 1999-2000 season, Sunderland finished seventh in the Premiership ? their highest finish since 4th place in 1955. Again the team was pipped at the post on the last day of the season, this time missing out on a place in European competition.
The Oxford English Dictionary has under "pip v(3)" definition 1c
c. To anticipate or forestall (someone) in a
particular activity, circumstance, etc.; spec. in phr. to pip at (or on) the post, to defeat by a narrow
margin at the last moment; also ellipt.
This seems to say that "pipped at the post" and "pipped on the post" have the same meaning, but how about "pipped to the post"?
It seems a little strange that a writer would use the two phrases within a paragraph or so in the same discussion without having some different shade of meaning in mind.
Is there a difference, however slight, in connotation?
Top answer
com/topic/sunderland-a-f-c uses both of the phrases "pipped to the post" and "pipped ... the same discussion without having some different shade of meaning in mind. [/nq] I'd rate the "to" form a mild solecism I say "mild" perhaps because I'm in an amiable mood, or perhaps because it doesn't appear to affect the meaning, though I wouldn't consider using it.
- com/topic/sunderland-a-f-c uses both of the phrases "pipped to the post" and "pipped ...
- the same discussion without having some different shade of meaning in mind.
- [/nq] I'd rate the "to" form a mild solecism I say "mild" perhaps because I'm in an amiable mood, or perhaps because it doesn't appear to affect the meaning, though I wouldn't consider using it.
- Mike.
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23 Answers
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[nq:1]A history of the Sunderland Football Club at http://www.answers.com/topic/sunderland-a-f-c uses both of the phrases "pipped to the post" and "pipped ... the same discussion without having some different shade of meaning in mind. Is there a difference, however slight, in connotation?[/nq]
I'd rate
I'd rate
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[nq:1]A history of the Sunderland Football Club at http://www.answers.com/topic/sunderland-a-f-c uses both of the phrases "pipped to the post" and "pipped at the post".[/nq]
Ah, but does it mention that Sunderland was a much-derided pioneer of commercialism and the buying-in of non-local players?
Ah, but does it mention that Sunderland was a much-derided pioneer of commercialism and the buying-in of non-local players?
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[nq:1](See 'Oop for t' Coop' in History Today , May 2005, which article also reveals that Northern Chippiness/Southern Snootiness ... explain, what. There's always a black ball waiting for chaps who snivel if that's what they really want. What, what.)[/nq]
I wonder if Sir Chuck was using "snob" in one of its older senses, which was indeed used de haut en bas, meaning something very like "oik".
I wonder if Sir Chuck was using "snob" in one of its older senses, which was indeed used de haut en bas, meaning something very like "oik".
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[nq:1]A history of the Sunderland Football Club at http://www.answers.com/topic/sunderland-a-f-c uses both of the phrases "pipped to the post" and "pipped ... two phrases within a paragraph or so in the same discussion without having some different shade of meaning in mind.[/nq]
You're talking English f
You're talking English f
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[nq:1]Sunderland's first season in their new home yet again involved them being pipped to the post, as they finished third ... at the post on the last day of the season, this time missing out on a place in European competition.[/nq]
The first instance is non-standard usage, the second is standard usage, as confirmed by the phrase's origin in horse racing. A horse pipped at the post is overtake
The first instance is non-standard usage, the second is standard usage, as confirmed by the phrase's origin in horse racing. A horse pipped at the post is overtake
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[nq:1]This seems to say that "pipped at the post" and "pipped on the post" have the same meaning, but how about "pipped to the post"?[/nq]
Pipped 'at' the post is easier on my ear than pipped 'on' the post, and pipped 'to' the post is "impossible".
Pipped 'at' the post is easier on my ear than pipped 'on' the post, and pipped 'to' the post is "impossible".
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[nq:2]Sunderland's first season in their new home yet again involved ... this time missing out on a place in European competition.[/nq]
[nq:1]The first instance is non-standard usage, the second is standard usage, as confirmed by the phrase's origin in horse racing. ... and third prizes in soccer. The names for a decision with no winner are very different, dead heat and draw.)[/nq]
But spo
[nq:1]The first instance is non-standard usage, the second is standard usage, as confirmed by the phrase's origin in horse racing. ... and third prizes in soccer. The names for a decision with no winner are very different, dead heat and draw.)[/nq]
But spo
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[nq:1]But sports writing does make very particular demands. If you aren't Neville Cardus or that West Indian genius whose name briefly but shamefully escapes me,[/nq]
CLR James?
John Hall
"I don't even butter my bread; I consider that cooking." Katherine Cebrian
CLR James?
John Hall
"I don't even butter my bread; I consider that cooking." Katherine Cebrian
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[nq:2]But sports writing does make very particular demands. If youaren't Neville Cardus or that West Indian genius whose name briefly but shamefully escapes me,[/nq]
[nq:1] CLR James?[/nq]
Thank you. I blush.
Mike.
[nq:1] CLR James?[/nq]
Thank you. I blush.
Mike.
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[nq:2]Sunderland's first season in their new home yet again involved ... this time missing out on a place in European competition.[/nq]
[nq:1]The first instance is non-standard usage, the second is standard usage, as confirmed by the phrase's origin in horse racing. ... and third prizes in soccer. The names for a decision with no winner are very different, dead heat and draw.)[/nq]
Of cour
[nq:1]The first instance is non-standard usage, the second is standard usage, as confirmed by the phrase's origin in horse racing. ... and third prizes in soccer. The names for a decision with no winner are very different, dead heat and draw.)[/nq]
Of cour
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