batch = to live as a bachelor

[Laurence Horn]

On May 4, 2012, at 1:28 PM, Amy West wrote:

> Spotted this in an image that a FB Friend shared. It's from an old comic
> book; I don't know if the link will work or not; I'm waiting on hearing
> the publication name and year
>
> https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151602689130501&set=a.123802975500.217153.897570500&type=1&theater
>
> It's in HDAS, but not in OED. In the HDAS entry it notes that it's often
> constructed with "it", but here's an instance where it's with "together":
>
> full-page comics ad for Lifebuoy soap. Pertinent line:
>
> Maybe there's a simple explanation, old chap -- when we batched together
> you were a Lifebuoy user -- remember?
>
Interesting.  The cultual assumptions now are quite the reverse:  more B.O. when a guy is batching it than when he's married/shacked up (the female's civilizing influence, etc.), Lifebuoy or not Lifebuoy.

LH

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