flip the script

[Benjamin Zimmer]

On 9/6/07, Benjamin Zimmer <bgzimmer at babel.ling.upenn.edu> wrote:
>
> On 9/6/07, davemarc <davemarc at panix.com> wrote:
> >
> > This one was new to me, so I figured I'd share it. Sorry if this is
> > redundant.
> >
> > Regarding reporters: "By 'flip the script,' I mean they sometimes will give
> > you the distinct impression they are writing something that will flatter you
> > or otherwise serve your interests -- when all along they're planning to
> > eviscerate you with the spiral binding on their reporter's notebook."
> > http://www.ideagrove.com/blog/2007/09/eight-warning-signs-that-reporter-plan
> > s.html
> >
> > It's been in Urban Dictionary since 2003.
> > http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Flip+The+Script
>
> And it's been in hiphop parlance since at least 1992, when the rap duo
> Gang Starr released the album "Daily Operation" featuring the song
> "Flip The Script".
>
> Lyrics: http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/gngstarr/daily_op/script.gsr.txt

Slightly earlier, from "Mecca & The Soul Brother" by Pete Rock & C.L.
Smooth ("All Souled Out" EP, 1991):

http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/clsmooth/souled/meccaand.cls.txt
"Okay, you wanna act trife and flip the script
With your Wonderama drama slash coma riff..."


--Ben Zimmer

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