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 #17 (permalink) Sat Jan 27, 2007 19:41 pm meaning of heavy-hitting |
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Yankee
There are definitely other instances in which being referred to as a "cowboy" would be considered a compliment.
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Prezbucky
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| #18 (permalink) Sat Jan 27, 2007 20:10 pm cowboys |
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I think that chip of yours is showing yet again:
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| Most Americans think that being a cowboy is much more positive than being a member of the chattering classes of Europe, so they think that if one of our politicians has aggravated a European (especially French) politician or diplomat, then he must have done something right. |
By the way how do you aggravate a European?
A
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Alan
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| #19 (permalink) Sat Jan 27, 2007 20:21 pm meaning of heavy-hitting |
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Hi Prez
I didn't say (or mean to say) that calling someone a "cowboy" in the US is never positive, but there are plenty of contexts in which calling someone "a cowboy" is definitely not a compliment. I also found it interesting that one meaning (the "reckless driver" meaning) is considered to be primarily a US northeast usage -- and the northeast is where I'm from. 
Amy |
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Yankee
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| #20 (permalink) Sat Jan 27, 2007 23:48 pm cowboys |
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| Alan wrote: |
I think that chip of yours is showing yet again:
| Quote: |
| Most Americans think that being a cowboy is much more positive than being a member of the chattering classes of Europe, so they think that if one of our politicians has aggravated a European (especially French) politician or diplomat, then he must have done something right. |
By the way how do you aggravate a European? |
I think you're reading too fast again. I didn't say aggravate a European; I said aggravate a European politician or diplomat.
I suppose there are many ways to aggravate such people, depending on the individual politician, party or organization. It's mainly one of those "I know it when I see it" matters.
However, when the Kofi Anan's second in command, Dutch or Belgian or whatever he was, goes on TV and makes the outrageously ignorant, bigoted assertion that people in "Middle America" get all their news from one cable TV channel and one radio talk show (notice the implication that Americans don't read?) and that that is the only reason why they could oppose some UN policy, you can tell he's been aggravated.
The image of a European politician making such idiotic assertions that Americans are all Neanderthals is not that uncommon. If the insults went in the other direction, there would be outrage. |
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Jamie (K)
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| #21 (permalink) Sun Jan 28, 2007 10:12 am meaning of heavy-hitting |
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I was merely pointing out the use of 'aggravate'. I thought only situations could be 'aggravated'. Ot am I being oldfashioned?
A
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Alan
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| #22 (permalink) Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:30 pm meaning of heavy-hitting |
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| Alan wrote: |
| I was merely pointing out the use of 'aggravate'. I thought only situations could be 'aggravated'. Ot am I being oldfashioned? |
Oxford American Dictionary:
aggravate
1 make (a problem, injury, or offense) worse or more serious : military action would only aggravate the situation.
2 informal annoy or exasperate (someone), esp. persistently : [as adj. ] ( aggravating) she found him thoroughly aggravating and unprofessional.
American Heritage
2 To rouse to exasperation or anger; provoke. See Synonyms at annoy.
Merriam-Webster
3 a : to rouse to displeasure or anger by usually persistent and often petty goading |
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Jamie (K)
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| #23 (permalink) Sun Jan 28, 2007 15:05 pm meaning of heavy-hitting |
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Oh er - must learn American, clearly.
A
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| difference between collquial and slang | Expression: 'She reported (his) having seen the gunman.' |
