http://www.word-detective.com/2012/02/dance-off-sing-off-etc/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:32:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.word-detective.com/2012/02/dance-off-sing-off-etc/comment-page-1/#comment-38189 Simon Heffer Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:24:42 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=6563#comment-38189 So does that mean "finish-off" is tautologous? So does that mean “finish-off” is tautologous?

]]> http://www.word-detective.com/2012/02/dance-off-sing-off-etc/comment-page-1/#comment-38101 Sian Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:54:55 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=6563#comment-38101 When I leaned to play (field) hockey at school in the 1970s the start of play was called the bully-off. I've no idea where that comes from. It consisted of the two opposing centres hitting the ground and the opponents stick alternately three times, then going for the ball. When I leaned to play (field) hockey at school in the 1970s the start of play was called the bully-off. I’ve no idea where that comes from. It consisted of the two opposing centres hitting the ground and the opponents stick alternately three times, then going for the ball.

]]> http://www.word-detective.com/2012/02/dance-off-sing-off-etc/comment-page-1/#comment-37050 CAtransplant Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:42:43 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=6563#comment-37050 I, too, thought of standoff (or, as you suggest, stand-off) but came to the Reply section and noticed you'd beat me to it. Still, I thought it meant something different than you indicated (the first usage that came to mind was Mexican standoff) so I looked it up. It's more a deadlock or tie occasioned by an actual or perceived belief of equality of the opponents. Also, I had thought it probably came about before 1880 since it feels like it's been around longer than the other "off" usurpers, but no proof of that by me. I, too, thought of standoff (or, as you suggest, stand-off) but came to the Reply section and noticed you’d beat me to it. Still, I thought it meant something different than you indicated (the first usage that came to mind was Mexican standoff) so I looked it up. It’s more a deadlock or tie occasioned by an actual or perceived belief of equality of the opponents. Also, I had thought it probably came about before 1880 since it feels like it’s been around longer than the other “off” usurpers, but no proof of that by me.

]]> http://www.word-detective.com/2012/02/dance-off-sing-off-etc/comment-page-1/#comment-36450 Frank T Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:35:19 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=6563#comment-36450 One use needs to mentioned and that's "Stand-off". I guess the original use would have been when two armies are ready to go to battle, but they "stand off" from one another while negotiations take place. What thinks ye? One use needs to mentioned and that’s “Stand-off”. I guess the original use would have been when two armies are ready to go to battle, but they “stand off” from one another while negotiations take place. What thinks ye?

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