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Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Usage
To coin a phrase ...
I noticed twice today people (a politician and a journalist) using the expression "to coin a phrase" when they were manifestly not doing so. They were in fact using an idiom which had been prominently used a few days ago (I don't think it was coined even then). In so doing they drew attention to the fact that had been so used, whether newly coined or not. The phrase in question was Jack Straw's "a complete horlicks".
I have a feeling that using "to coin a phrase" in this way is not new, but this is the first time it has really struck me.
Philip Eden
I have a feeling that using "to coin a phrase" in this way is not new, but this is the first time it has really struck me.
Philip Eden
Top answer
In article , "Philip says... r
- In article , "Philip says...
- r
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3 Answers
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In article , "Philip says...
[nq:1]I have a feeling that using "to coin a phrase" in this way is not new, but this is the first time it has really struck me.[/nq]
To answer the implied question, yes, some of are paying attention..r
[nq:1]I have a feeling that using "to coin a phrase" in this way is not new, but this is the first time it has really struck me.[/nq]
To answer the implied question, yes, some of are paying attention..r
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[nq:1]I noticed twice today people (a politician and a journalist) using the expression "to coin a phrase" when they were ... coin a phrase" in this way is not new, but this is the first time it has really struck me.[/nq]
It is a cliche for using a cliche.
It means "I know that this is a cliche but..."
-- Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
It is a cliche for using a cliche.
It means "I know that this is a cliche but..."
-- Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
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[nq:1]I noticed twice today people (a politician and a journalist) using the expression "to coin a phrase" when they were ... coin a phrase" in this way is not new, but this is the first time it has really struck me.[/nq]
I have a feeling that people use "to coin a phrase" this way because they want a phrase in which to phrase their self-consciousness at using a well-known phrase and they can
I have a feeling that people use "to coin a phrase" this way because they want a phrase in which to phrase their self-consciousness at using a well-known phrase and they can
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