[Ads-l] straphanger -- figurative sense (UNCLASSIFIED)

[Jonathan Lighter]

The HDAS files have this from the Vietnam era.

JL

On Fri, Apr 15, 2016 at 4:02 PM, Mullins, Bill CIV (US) <
william.d.mullins18.civ at mail.mil> wrote:

> CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
>
> After reading Dave's anecdote, I started thinking more bureaucratically
> and came up with this:
>
>
> _Gettysburg [PA] Times_ 31 Dec 2002 p 4 col 2
> "We need our commissioners to do the job they are paid to do, and perhaps
> hire another secretary if needed, rather than to create a whole new office
> with its attendant staff, assistants and accompanying straphangers."
>
>
> _San Bernardino County Sun_ 10 Sep 1989 p D3 col 6
> "So I find it particularly apt that members of his entourage are referred
> to, regardless of rank, as straphangers."
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On
> Behalf Of Dave Wilton
> > Sent: Friday, April 15, 2016 1:55 PM
> > To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> > Subject: Re: Straphanger (UNCLASSIFIED)
> >
> > ----
> >
> > I don't have a written citation, but I recall the figurative sense from
> c.1988 during my stint in the Army. I recall it quite distinctly because the
> > term was new to me.
> >
> > We were at Grafenwoehr Training Area and asked if our battalion would
> host a visit from the secretary of the Army, who was visiting GTA
> > and wanted to see a unit training in the field. Our battalion commander
> said he would be happy to (as if he had a real choice in the matter),
> > but he didn't want any "straphangers" accompanying the secretary. He
> surmised, quite correctly, that the secretary just wanted a photo op
> > with some soldiers and would be no trouble, but the majors and
> lieutenant colonels who accompanied him would be on the lookout for
> > anything to find fault with and thereby justify their existence.
> >
> > (The event was also memorable because as the battalion chemical officer
> I always carried a CS (tear gas) grenade with me when in the field,
> > so the troops wouldn't get any advance warning of a chemical training
> exercise--if I didn't have it with me at all times, it's presence would
> > be a signal. When the secretary was visiting, my boss, the battalion
> operations officer, said in a loud voice, "Dave, now is your chance to
> > gas the secretary of the Army." The secretary's security detail moved
> between him and me and kept a wary eye on me for the rest of the
> > visit. It was rather uncomfortable.)
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: American Dialect Society [Caution-Caution-mailto:
> ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Mullins, Bill CIV (US)
> > Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 1:11 PM
> > To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> > Subject: Re: [ADS-L] Straphanger (UNCLASSIFIED)
> >
>
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: American Dialect Society
> > > [Caution-Caution-mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Dan
> > > Goncharoff
> > > Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 11:59 AM
> > > To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> > > Subject: Re: Straphanger (UNCLASSIFIED)
> > >
> > >
> > > ----
> > >
> > > I doubt Wichita had a subway in 1892.
> >
> > The article appears to be a reprint from the NY Tribune.
> >
> >
> > > The use of the word "car" leads me to think the quote refers to a
> train, not a "subway or bus".
> > > Perhaps the OED definition needs to be widened?
> > >
> > > Also, this is a 'literal' use -- referring to standing passengers
> > > hanging onto straps -- and not a general use for all passengers,
> > > standing or otherwise. I wonder when some (the standees, who should be
> standers?? -- we don't call those sitting sittees, do we?)
> > became representative of all.
> > >
> >
> > I noted it as "literal" because I intended to also supply figurative
> cites (straphanger - one who attaches himself, perhaps undeservedly, to an
> > activity or project), but wasn't able to find any appropriate quotes to
> support them.
> >
> > I did see numerous instances in which "straphangers" referred to
> subway/bus/mass transit passengers in general, but didn't do anything to
> > document them.
> >
> >
> >
> > > DanG
> > >
> > > On Thu, Apr 14, 2016 at 12:49 PM, Mullins, Bill CIV (US) <
> william.d.mullins18.civ at mail.mil> wrote:
> > >
> > > > CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
> > > >
> > > > Cliffhangers got me to looking at straphangers
> > > >
> > > > Literal sense -- a subway or bus passenger.  OED has 1905.
> > > >
> > > > _Wichita [KS] Daily Eagle 7 Sep 1892 p 8 col 3 [Chronicling America]
> > > > ""Seats at the other end of the car, ladies and gentlemen!"  The
> > > > straphangers looked surprised."
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
> >
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> http://www.americandialect.org
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------
> > The American Dialect Society - Caution-Caution-
> http://www.americandialect.org
> CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
>
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> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>



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