A Grade Apart

[sagehen]

>I just spotted the following in The Daily Star (07/03/07),
>Oneonta, NY. (Please note emphasized phrase __xx__  in
>final paragraph):
>Signs against wind gone
>
>By Patricia Breakey
>
>Delhi News Bureau
>
>Signs stating, "Yes to green energy. No to industrial wind in Meredith,"
>have been disappearing from the homes of Alliance for Meredith members,
>residents said Monday.
>Sue Bailey, Alliance spokeswoman, said the signs began to vanish June 23
>when one was taken on Turnpike Road at about 11:30 p.m. The residents "heard
>this low muffler sound that sounded like someone turning around in the
>driveway and then speeding off," she said.
>The next night, she said, a white sedan with a loud muffler and at least two
>passengers __graded a sign__ on Dickman Road at 8:15 p.m.
>-------
>It would appear the writer meant the sign was 'leveled', or knocked down,
>but I can find no reference to such a use of the word 'grade'.
>If this usage DOES have a history, will you please grade me on a curve as
>it's a holiday?
>(the other) doug
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Or maybe it wasn't quite knocked down, only grazed.  Presumably the
intention was the same.
AM

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