mouldy fig

[Page Stephens]

Perhaps it is related to the old phrase, "I don't give a fig."

I hadn't thought about that before.

Now I still have to figure out why people who play old time jazz are put
down while for doing so while those who play old time country music and
blues don't suffer from, such an invidious distinction.

Page Stephens

> [Original Message]
> From: Mark A. Mandel <mamandel at LDC.UPENN.EDU>
> To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Date: 9/12/2005 6:17:24 AM
> Subject: Re: mouldy fig
>
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
-----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       "Mark A. Mandel" <mamandel at LDC.UPENN.EDU>
> Subject:      Re: mouldy fig
>
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>
> Re: mouldy fig
> Gerald wrote:
> >>>
>    No self-respecting modernist could accept that put-down lying down. So
> out came the counter-put-down: "mouldy fig."  "Mouldy" here is
> self-explanatory.  As for "Why fig?" I guess I'd respond "Why not?"
>  <<<
>
> We can do better than that. OED Online:
>
> fig, n.1
> 4. a. As a type of anything small, valueless, or contemptible; also,
[obs]a
> dried fig; a fig's end. In phrases: [obs]never a fig = not at all; (to
> [obs]bid, care, give) a fig, or fig's end for; to mind, value (a person or
> thing), be worth a fig or fig's end.
>
> m a m