Whatever floats your boat (1981)

[David Bowie]

From:    "Douglas G. Wilson" douglas at NB.NET

<snip>

: "Whatever turns you on" -- which I believe was the model and which
: is/was usually exactly synonymous (I think) -- dates from 1970 by
: N'archive and has "1970's" in the Cassell book.

: Aside from the rhyme, why did the boat-floating version appear at
: all? Is it 'euphemistic' (since "turns you on" appears to be related to
: drugs and/or sex)? Is there some reference which I've missed?

No idea, but i figured i'd note that i first heard the somewhat non- (less?)
euphemistic version "Whatever lifts your skirt" in 1988 or, more likely,
1987 in Pittsburgh.

David Bowie                                         http://pmpkn.net/lx
    Jeanne's Two Laws of Chocolate: If there is no chocolate in the
    house, there is too little; some must be purchased. If there is
    chocolate in the house, there is too much; it must be consumed.