Heard on the Judges

[Wilson Gray]

Judge Greg to twenty-ish, black, female defendant:

"You looking good! At least, you not coming in here ghetto-fabulous:
_laid to the bone_ and three months behind on your rent."

Those with long memories may recall an earlier discussion of the use
of "(get / be) laid" with the meaning "(get / be) dressed up," with no
direct reference of any kind to sex. Well, if a brother be jumping
sharp, you have to figure that ... Well, IAC, _laid to the bone_ for
"extremely well-dressed" was also current in Saint Louis, back in the
day. I'm surprised that this ancient phrase is still in use.

-Wilson
--
All say, "How hard it is that we have to die"---a strange complaint to
come from the mouths of people who have had to live.
-----
                                              -Sam'l Clemens

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