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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
"Third rail"
From May of 2000:
"In a move that is sure to have his political advisers gulping Pepto-Bismol for the next several months, George W. Bush has floated the outlines of a proposal that would allow individuals to invest up to two percent of their current Social Security payroll taxes in privately controlled equity accounts. In fact, Bush has promised to make partial privatization of Social Security a central component of his presidential campaign. He has chosen to dance on the supposed "third rail" of American politics."
While this is an "old" quote, the term "third rail" has resurfaced in a big way in political discussions on cable TV during the past few days.
Per m-w online:
Main Entry: third rail
Function: noun
Date: 1890
a metal rail through which electric current is led to the motors of an electric vehicle (as a subway car)
So how does one dance on the third rail? Is there another meaning now?
Maria Conlon
Please send any email to the Hot Mail address.
"In a move that is sure to have his political advisers gulping Pepto-Bismol for the next several months, George W. Bush has floated the outlines of a proposal that would allow individuals to invest up to two percent of their current Social Security payroll taxes in privately controlled equity accounts. In fact, Bush has promised to make partial privatization of Social Security a central component of his presidential campaign. He has chosen to dance on the supposed "third rail" of American politics."
While this is an "old" quote, the term "third rail" has resurfaced in a big way in political discussions on cable TV during the past few days.
Per m-w online:
Main Entry: third rail
Function: noun
Date: 1890
a metal rail through which electric current is led to the motors of an electric vehicle (as a subway car)
So how does one dance on the third rail? Is there another meaning now?
Maria Conlon
Please send any email to the Hot Mail address.
Top answer
english: [nq:1]From May of 2000: "In a move that is sure to have his political advisers gulping Pepto-Bismol for the next ... vehicle (as a subway car) So how does one dance on the third rail? [/nq] No doubt this pundit has not thought his metaphor through, but in truth there is no harm in standing on the third rail or dancing on it if you can.
- english: [nq:1]From May of 2000: "In a move that is sure to have his political advisers gulping Pepto-Bismol for the next ...
- vehicle (as a subway car) So how does one dance on the third rail?
- [/nq] No doubt this pundit has not thought his metaphor through, but in truth there is no harm in standing on the third rail or dancing on it if you can.
- The danger is in forming a path to ground (BE: earth) from the the third rail, which would be very likely to happen in mounting or dismounting or in dancing upon it if one missteps (not to mention ******* on it, which may or may not be legendary).
- Social Security was said to be the third rail in American politics long before Bush meaning that it is a dangerous issue which can harm the career of a politician who deals with it inappropriately.
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20 Answers
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In our last episode,
,
the lovely and talented Maria Conlon
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
[nq:1]From May of 2000: "In a move that is sure to have his political advisers gulping Pepto-Bismol for the next ... vehicle (as a subway car) So how does one dance on the third rail? Is there another meaning now?[/nq]
No doubt this pundit has not thought his metaphor through, but in tru
,
the lovely and talented Maria Conlon
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
[nq:1]From May of 2000: "In a move that is sure to have his political advisers gulping Pepto-Bismol for the next ... vehicle (as a subway car) So how does one dance on the third rail? Is there another meaning now?[/nq]
No doubt this pundit has not thought his metaphor through, but in tru
00
[nq:2]From May of 2000: "In a move that is sure ... dance on the third rail? Is there another meaning now?[/nq]
[nq:1]No doubt this pundit has not thought his metaphor through, but in truth there is no harm in standing on ... other issue is clearly meant, a reference to "the third rail" in a discussion of American politics means Social Security.[/nq]
Here's a real-life third-rail situation
[nq:1]No doubt this pundit has not thought his metaphor through, but in truth there is no harm in standing on ... other issue is clearly meant, a reference to "the third rail" in a discussion of American politics means Social Security.[/nq]
Here's a real-life third-rail situation
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Yes, indeedy. The definition quoted above is from MW10, but check out the updated definition from MW11 online:
[nq:1]Main Entry: third rail Function: noun Date: 1888 1 : a metal rail through which electric current is led to the motors of an electric vehicle (as a subway car) 2 : a controversial issue usually avoided by politicians[/nq]
Michael Patrick
[nq:1]Main Entry: third rail Function: noun Date: 1888 1 : a metal rail through which electric current is led to the motors of an electric vehicle (as a subway car) 2 : a controversial issue usually avoided by politicians[/nq]
Michael Patrick
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FabFourFan filted:
[nq:2]Main Entry: third rail Function: noun Date: 1888 1 : ... car) 2 : a controversial issue usually avoided by politicians[/nq]
That may be majority usage, but the phrase has an odd resonance for pre-1975 graduates of the high school I attended...until my last year, classes were organized into three "rails", presumably on the basis of some childhood test scores...those
[nq:2]Main Entry: third rail Function: noun Date: 1888 1 : ... car) 2 : a controversial issue usually avoided by politicians[/nq]
That may be majority usage, but the phrase has an odd resonance for pre-1975 graduates of the high school I attended...until my last year, classes were organized into three "rails", presumably on the basis of some childhood test scores...those
00
[nq:1]: a metal rail through which electric current is led to the motors of an electric vehicle (as a subway car) So how does one dance on the third rail?[/nq]
Very carefully, to avoid touching the adjacent rail, which would give a nasty shock.
[nq:1]Is there another meaning now?[/nq]
I wondered if it was similar in meaning to an "egg dance", which is something I have also heard that p
Very carefully, to avoid touching the adjacent rail, which would give a nasty shock.
[nq:1]Is there another meaning now?[/nq]
I wondered if it was similar in meaning to an "egg dance", which is something I have also heard that p
00
[nq:1]That may be majority usage, but the phrase has an odd resonance for pre-1975 graduates of the high school I ... body of students were "second rail", and those who required more patience than information to get through were "third rail".[/nq]
"Rails" is a new one; I've heard that system called "tracking".
John Varela
(Trade "OLD" lamps for "NEW" for email.)
I apologize fo
"Rails" is a new one; I've heard that system called "tracking".
John Varela
(Trade "OLD" lamps for "NEW" for email.)
I apologize fo
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[nq:2]That may be majority usage, but the phrase has an ... more patience than information to get through were "third rail".[/nq]
[nq:1]"Rails" is a new one; I've heard that system called "tracking".[/nq]
Also "streaming".
Alec McKenzie
[nq:1]"Rails" is a new one; I've heard that system called "tracking".[/nq]
Also "streaming".
Alec McKenzie
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I've seen it expressed as "dancing on eggs" and "tiptoeing on eggshells", both describing the delicate handling of a sensitive (usually political) problem.
wrmst rgrds
Robin Bignall
Quiet part of Hertfordshire
England
wrmst rgrds
Robin Bignall
Quiet part of Hertfordshire
England
00
[nq:1]I've seen it expressed as "dancing on eggs" and "tiptoeing on eggshells", both describing the delicate handling of a sensitive (usually political) problem.[/nq]
"Tap-dancing" is another way of saying that as done literally in the movie "Chicago". "Third rail", however, implies more dire consequences than just breaking some eggs.
John Varela
(Trade "OLD" lamps for "NEW" for e
"Tap-dancing" is another way of saying that as done literally in the movie "Chicago". "Third rail", however, implies more dire consequences than just breaking some eggs.
John Varela
(Trade "OLD" lamps for "NEW" for e
00
[nq:2]From May of 2000: "In a move that is sure ... dance on the third rail? Is there another meaning now?[/nq]
[nq:1]No doubt this pundit has not thought his metaphor through, but in truth there is no harm in standing on ... other issue is clearly meant, a reference to "the third rail" in a discussion of American politics means Social Security.[/nq]
Why do you assume that the pundit has n
[nq:1]No doubt this pundit has not thought his metaphor through, but in truth there is no harm in standing on ... other issue is clearly meant, a reference to "the third rail" in a discussion of American politics means Social Security.[/nq]
Why do you assume that the pundit has n
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