events as rock music gained wide acceptance, the meaning of the catch phrase morphed into the definition comparing a person or thing to the reputation for invincibility that has been the image of Gibraltar for more than 300 years. Dictionary of Catch Phrases was published in 1976 just three years before Partridge’s death aged 85. Gibraltar receives two other references in the book. One is a toast to the ‘anniversary of the siege of Gibraltar’ which conveniently: “…since the great siege lasted from 1779 to 1783 could be unofficially celebrated whenever desired”. The other catch phrase ‘I wouldn’t put my stick’ concerns a typical and frank warning by Medical Officers about the dangers of consorting with prostitutes or ‘enthusiastic amateurs’. Partridge cites an example related by John Winton in his book We Joined the Navy (1959): “Tomorrow we’ll be getting to Gibraltar… and I’ve no doubt that some of you’ll be putting your private parts where I wouldn’t be putting my walking-stick — for fear of rapid corrosion.” Partridge, born at Gisborne, New Zealand in February 1894, was one of the 20th century’s leading authorities on English, American and Down Under slang. He wrote numerous books, mostly about language and usage, including dictionaries on clichés, slang and unconventional English. n
AKIN Charity Bingo Night The Association for Kids in Need (AKIN) held a charity bingo night at the Senior Citizens’ Club in Town Range recently raising raised £1,100 for the Sierra Leone project. The event proved a huge success and the club was packed. On the night there was a raffle, which included prizes from Gibmaroc and Gibraltar Crystal, and a cake stall. AKIN’s Sierra Leone project has as its main aim the refurbishment of Regent Primary School in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The school is in urgent need of repair and it is hoped the roof, ceiling, windows, doors will be refurbished and new toilet facilities built during 2010.
If you would like to support the project or receive more information please visit AKIN’s website www.akincharity.org or contact Jimmy Bruzon on 57631000
Definition — catch phrase: A well-known, frequentlyused phrase or saying that has ‘caught on’ or become popular over a long period of time. It is often witty or philosophical.
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2010
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