Yankee bump

[Tom Kysilko]

My father uses the term "benefit curve" for a curve in the road sharp
enough to cause the lady passenger to slide towards the man, or vice-versa.

At 03:20 PM 3/23/2001 -0800, Peter Richardson wrote:
>I've always thought of the "thank you, ma'am" as a bump that causes the
>lady sitting next to one on the carriage seat to be bounced into the air,
>after which she lands, if not in one's lap, at least a good deal closer
>than propriety might otherwise excuse. Blushing, she would scoot away,
>having secretly enjoyed the bump as well. ca. 1880?


  Tom Kysilko        Practical Data Services
  pds at visi.com       Saint Paul MN USA