Million Dollar Question

[Bill Palmer]

How quickly the years pass...I can remember when it was the "$64 question"
(from a radio show of the 1930s or 40s),  and untouched by inflation until
the introduction of the astronomical "$64,000 Question", in 1955, I believe
it was.

Bill Palmer

----- Original Message -----
From: "victor steinbok" <aardvark66 at GMAIL.COM>
To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 1:33 PM
Subject: Million Dollar Question


> ---------------------- Information from the mail
> header -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       victor steinbok <aardvark66 at GMAIL.COM>
> Subject:      Million Dollar Question
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Has anyone ever analyzed the variations in the "That's an/the X Dollar
> Question"? I just heard a reporter say, "That's a hundred billion
> dollar question", in reference to some NYC board approval or
> disapproval of the downtown Islamic Center. I can unequivocally say
> that this is the /largest/ figure I have ever heard associated with
> the phrase. The inflation of the figures in this phrase does sound a
> lot like the evolution of Dr. Evil ransom demands in Austin Powers.
>
> VS-)
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org


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