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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
Put through the (w)ringer
The crossword I was working this morning had the clue "Put through the ringer". I assumed it was a pun, possibly having something to do with a telephone, but the answer was "battletested". Clearly the composer should have written "wringer" rather than "ringer". This prompted a bit of Googling:
"put through the wringer" 7,180
"put through the ringer" 4,370
I was a bit surprised that such a clichéd phrase isn't more common. But more to the point, the ratio of wringer:ringer is only 1.6:1. I've always assumed that the phrase referred to putting wet laundry through a wringer prior to drying it on a line. Maybe wringers are such ancient technology that web authors figure the phrase must somehow refer to the ringer on a phone. Or maybe sending in a ringer in a sporting event.
Ray Heindl
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"put through the wringer" 7,180
"put through the ringer" 4,370
I was a bit surprised that such a clichéd phrase isn't more common. But more to the point, the ratio of wringer:ringer is only 1.6:1. I've always assumed that the phrase referred to putting wet laundry through a wringer prior to drying it on a line. Maybe wringers are such ancient technology that web authors figure the phrase must somehow refer to the ringer on a phone. Or maybe sending in a ringer in a sporting event.
Ray Heindl
(remove the Xs to reply to: (Email Removed))
Top answer
[nq:1]The crossword I was working this morning had the clue "Put through the ringer". I assumed it was a pun, ... "wringer" rather than "ringer".
- [nq:1]The crossword I was working this morning had the clue "Put through the ringer".
- I assumed it was a pun, ...
- "wringer" rather than "ringer".
- This prompted a bit of Googling: "put through the wringer" 7,180 "put through the ringer" 4,370[/nq] I'll add it to my "hare's breath" list.
- [nq:1]I was a bit surprised that such a clichéd phrase isn't more common.
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23 Answers
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[nq:1]The crossword I was working this morning had the clue "Put through the ringer". I assumed it was a pun, ... "wringer" rather than "ringer". This prompted a bit of Googling: "put through the wringer" 7,180 "put through the ringer" 4,370[/nq]
I'll add it to my "hare's breath" list.
[nq:1]I was a bit surprised that such a clichéd phrase isn't more common. But more to the point, the rati
I'll add it to my "hare's breath" list.
[nq:1]I was a bit surprised that such a clichéd phrase isn't more common. But more to the point, the rati
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Donna Richoux filted:
[nq:2]always assumed that the phrase referred to putting wet laundry ... it on a line. Maybe wringers are such ancient technology[/nq]
[nq:1]I think that's a lot of it. Several times I've found that modern children had no conception of the verb "wring."[/nq]
So this is what our modern system of education has wringed..
Wonder what they'd make of the bottle
[nq:2]always assumed that the phrase referred to putting wet laundry ... it on a line. Maybe wringers are such ancient technology[/nq]
[nq:1]I think that's a lot of it. Several times I've found that modern children had no conception of the verb "wring."[/nq]
So this is what our modern system of education has wringed..
Wonder what they'd make of the bottle
00
[nq:2]The crossword I was working this morning had the clue ... "put through the wringer" 7,180 "put through the ringer" 4,370[/nq]
Yes, it's yet another one of those "it's OK as long as enough idiots say it" phrase, like "reek havoc".
I realize that English is a "living language" and I have read all that Hayakawa **** about "the word is not the thing" and I must agree with most of it. But
Yes, it's yet another one of those "it's OK as long as enough idiots say it" phrase, like "reek havoc".
I realize that English is a "living language" and I have read all that Hayakawa **** about "the word is not the thing" and I must agree with most of it. But
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[nq:2]I'll add it to my "hare's breath" list. Yes, that ... enough to realize it is spelled with a silent letter.[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, it's yet another one of those "it's OK as long as enough idiots say it" phrase, like "reek havoc". ... exactly the opposite of what we should. Sorry for the rant. I guess I'm just feeling old and crotchety today.[/nq]
'Salright. Stupidity is fashionable these da
[nq:1]Yes, it's yet another one of those "it's OK as long as enough idiots say it" phrase, like "reek havoc". ... exactly the opposite of what we should. Sorry for the rant. I guess I'm just feeling old and crotchety today.[/nq]
'Salright. Stupidity is fashionable these da
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[nq:2]Sorry for the rant. I guess I'm just feeling old and crotchety today.[/nq]
[nq:1]'Salright. Stupidity is fashionable these days, it seems. Skitt (in Hayward, California)[/nq]
Oooh. Now I feel so chic!
Don
[nq:1]'Salright. Stupidity is fashionable these days, it seems. Skitt (in Hayward, California)[/nq]
Oooh. Now I feel so chic!
Don
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(snip discussion of)
(and similar)
[nq:1]Yes, it's yet another one of those "it's OK as long as enough idiots say it" phrase, like "reek havoc". ... exactly the opposite of what we should. Sorry for the rant. I guess I'm just feeling old and crotchety today.[/nq]
Oh, well, we all work up rants from time to time. Fear and anger have to go somewhere. When you're calm again maybe we
(and similar)
[nq:1]Yes, it's yet another one of those "it's OK as long as enough idiots say it" phrase, like "reek havoc". ... exactly the opposite of what we should. Sorry for the rant. I guess I'm just feeling old and crotchety today.[/nq]
Oh, well, we all work up rants from time to time. Fear and anger have to go somewhere. When you're calm again maybe we
00
[nq:1]The crossword I was working this morning had the clue "Put through the ringer". I assumed it was a pun, ... phrase must somehow refer to the ringer on a phone. Or maybe sending in a ringer in a sporting event.[/nq]
When I were a lad, we had a washing machine with a wringer (not that it was ever sufficiently obliging as to spell itself) and good fun it was. I was allowed (how cunning our
When I were a lad, we had a washing machine with a wringer (not that it was ever sufficiently obliging as to spell itself) and good fun it was. I was allowed (how cunning our
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[nq:2]The crossword I was working this morning had the clue ... Or maybe sending in a ringer in a sporting event.[/nq]
[nq:1]When I were a lad, we had a washing machine with a wringer (not that it was ever sufficiently obliging ... a wringer might be are using a word that they recognise even though it makes no sense in this context.[/nq]
I haven't laughed so much since aunty got her *** ca
[nq:1]When I were a lad, we had a washing machine with a wringer (not that it was ever sufficiently obliging ... a wringer might be are using a word that they recognise even though it makes no sense in this context.[/nq]
I haven't laughed so much since aunty got her *** ca
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[nq:2]"put through the wringer" 7,180 "put through the ringer" 4,370 ... Or maybe sending in a ringer in a sporting event.[/nq]
Let's have a look in the vicinity:
"wring his neck" 4830
"ring his neck" 1800 (ratio 2.68)
"wring your neck" 3550
"ring your neck" 1150 (ratio 3.09)
That's a little better, but the ratios are still uncomfortably low....r
Let's have a look in the vicinity:
"wring his neck" 4830
"ring his neck" 1800 (ratio 2.68)
"wring your neck" 3550
"ring your neck" 1150 (ratio 3.09)
That's a little better, but the ratios are still uncomfortably low....r
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[nq:1]The crossword I was working this morning had the clue "Put through the ringer". I assumed it was a pun, ... wringer" 7,180 "put through the ringer" 4,370 I was a bit surprised that such a clichéd phrase isn't more common.[/nq]
I Googled "through the wringer" and got about 35,000 hits.
Mike
I Googled "through the wringer" and got about 35,000 hits.
Mike
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