"Ian Iveson" wrote in message
news:jFBco.161232$qO1.110662@hurricane...
Geoff Mackenzie wrote:

over n out

Pedants mode on: "over" means "I have finished speaking and require a
reply". "Out" means "I have finished speaking and do NOT require a
reply". Therefore "over and out" has entirely contradictory meanings.
Constantly misused in WW2 films since the forties.

Probably won't bother the OP much, I suppose.

All that usage in films has established "over and out" as a bona fide
expression, surely? If the OP had just written "out" I wouldn't have known
what he meant.

Yes, accepted. The English language is constantly evolving, and justly so.
I am probably biased due to my pilot training in the early seventies when my
R/T instructor insisted on "correct" usage. English is the common language
for all air traffic controls bar one, and where pilots do not have English
as a first language it is important for there to be clear understanding of
not only not what you say but the reply you expect.

Here's a paradox:

http://www.answers.com/topic/over-and-out

??? Couldn't get beyond "find a Chinese wife".

Then there's:

http://dictionary.pokerzone.com/Over+and+Out

Yes, defines it exactly.


Maybe his attenuated grammar is normal in financial markets? Otherwise it
doesn't quite fit with the rest of his persona.

Ian


Yes, quite possibly. Missed the bit about financial markets - I've deleted
the OP. Every trade/profession has its jargon!

Probably better get back to the origins of this thread - ish; anybody want
a pair of Quad ESL 63s, pair of monoblock Quicksilver amps and an REL sub?
Will be on eBay later this year. Downsizing with a vengeance!

Geoff MacK