"sandirhodes" wrote in message
news:_5oRb.808$L_4.594@okepread01...
"Nick" wrote
Your self-restraint in not writing on subjects about which you are
ignorant is a commendable example to us all. :-)

Thanks.

While we're at a lull, here, I have a question for you.
I ask you, only because you seem to be from Great Britain,
and may know the answer, as well as some insight.

I saw an American movie the other day that used a phrase it claimed to be
popular in the latter 19th century in GB ("merry Andrew").
I just wondered if it is true that it was in use at that time,

Dear Mr Campbell,

Actually, I am not old enough to remember the 'later 19th century'. :-)

David Richerby already has written a thoughtful response, citing the
Oxford English Dictionary, in the OT thread, 'Merry-Andrew'.

and if so, if it is still in use today.

According to David Richerby, the Oxford English Dictionary mentions no
20th century citations. Like him, I never have heard the term in use.
On the other hand, Mike Murray claims to know: "It's still used."

I believe the connotation was inflammatory, if not derogatory,
but I am not sure. Does this sound at all familiar?

The term does not sound familiar to me from contemporary speech.
My impression is that 'merry andrew' seems mildly to moderately disparaging,
with an evident meaning of 'buffoon'.

Given that Mike Murray has initiated a personal attack on me in this thread:

"What is this nonsense of 'the emerging anti-Semitism of the Left?'...
It's easy to pretend that all our 'enemies' are united, but you really
do need to lie to yourself a lot to keep it up."
--John Macnab (writing in response to Mike Murray, 10 October 2003)

--Nick