pearl-clutching

[victor steinbok]

A number of liberal-leaning blogs used the "pearl-clutching" metaphor in the
last few days. TalkingPointsMemo used it twice in the last 24 hours. Yet, I
am not even sure they are all using it in the same manner. StraightDope had
a discussion on this in 2005, but there was no clear resolution--there
appear to be two competing explanation, both, of course, involving grabbing
pearl necklaces in excitement. One is simply a mark of being excited,
shocked or upset, the other adds a connotation of being prissy or
unfashionable, which gives it an air of flakiness. There is some agreement
/and/ disagreement on the latter--some prefer the narrow meaning, others are
unhappy with it. UD has "clutching my pearls" entry that helpfully suggests
"A new phrase among the gay Maryland circle". On second thought, it does
sound like something RuPaul (or Church Lady) might say.

Any thoughts on origin/meaning? It appears too new to show up in any
dictionaries.

VS-)

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