No subject

[Arnold M. Zwicky]

On Jun 22, 2005, at 11:58 AM, Larry Horn wrote:

> At 11:14 AM -0700 6/22/05, Jonathan Lighter wrote:
>
>> Anyway, my dentist also says, "This may sting a little."
>>
> Yes, that's what I'm used to hearing.  And I don't see it as a
> euphemism, since the needle for the novocain (or whatever they now
> use that we still call novocain even though it isn't) really does
> feel like an insect sting.

and now i can add, from direct observation at the Palo Alto Medical
Foundation this afternoon:  "a little sting", meaning 'there will be
a little sting'.  the m.d. was a bit taken aback when i commented on
his usage as he was wielding the hypodermic needle.

arnold