Austracism

[Beverly Flanigan]

I suspect the pun on "ostracism" was intended, based on an assumed merger
of 'ah' (=/a/) and 'aw' (=backward c).  I'm reminded of two national
cartoons that did the same, punning on "Olive/all of the other reindeer"
and "knotty/naughty pine."

At 10:44 AM 2/9/00 -0800, you wrote:
>Is it actually intended as "Austria + racism" (referring to Joerg Haider's
>tendencies) and pronounced accordingly, or is it a pun on "ostracism,"
>referring to other countries' treatment of Austria after Haider's party
>entered the government?  The quote doesn't provide enough context to tell.
>
>--On Wed, Feb 9, 2000 1:06 PM +0000 Bapopik at AOL.COM wrote:
>
> >    From the latest NEW YORK PRESS (www.nypress.com), John O'Sullivan's
> >    column, pg. 1, col. 8:
> >
> >    Although the threat of "Austracism" failed in its main aim...
> >
> >    Austracism.  Austria + racism.
> >    I like it.  However, a Dow Jones check shows no other hits.  It's new.
> >    If you like it, pass it on.
>
>
>
>****************************************************************************
>                                Peter A. McGraw
>                    Linfield College   *   McMinnville, OR
>                             pmcgraw at linfield.edu