"Brass tacks" (1876) and etymological evidence

[Wilson Gray]

On Aug 8, 2005, at 8:23 PM, Your Name wrote:

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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Your Name <sclements at NEO.RR.COM>
> Subject:      Re: "Brass tacks" (1876) and etymological evidence
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> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Douglas G. Wilson" <douglas at NB.NET>
> Date: Monday, August 8, 2005 6:44 pm
> Subject: Re: "Brass tacks" (1876) and etymological evidence
>
>>
>>> And just what is the naughty origin of "use it or lose it" ?  I mean
>>> demonstrably.
>>
>> I doubt a naughty origin offhand. This natural rhyme has been used in
>> sermons, etc., since pre-1900. The earliest I see in the on-line
>> papers at
>> a glance refers to a clam-opening contest in 1885.
>>
>> -- Doug Wilson
>>
>
> And tell me THAT'S not naughty?  Ha!
>
> Sam Clements
>

Good one, Sam! High five!

-Wilson