Then I heard the "fence-sitting" explanation and enjoyed that; and (again
vaguely) believed that not only was it thus self-explanatory but also that
it "retro-fitted" its original meaning.
Robin Panza (who's not on chat, but to whom I also sent my original query) sent me the following response. I'm forwarding it, because I think it's interesting re: the "frivolous", "retro-fitting" interpretation of the word :)
I believe I actually learned it in school! Either New York (Long Island) or
Los Angeles, don't remember which. That was the "politicians changing side"
version.
Then I found it in a book. There was a series of funny history books
written in the 60s or early 70s by an author whose name I can't place right
now. "It All Started with Columbus" (US history), "It all Started with
Adam and Eve" (human history), and some others (English history, famous
women). "Columbus" had mugwumps with your friend's definition--sitting on a
fence with the mug on one side and the wump on the other. I can still
envision the picture that goes with that paragraph....
----- Tamara P Duvall mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Lexington, Virginia, USA Formerly of Warsaw, Poland To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat [EMAIL PROTECTED]
