nitty-gritty

[Jonathan Lighter]

For nitty-gritty enthusiasts:

http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/12/real-meaning-of-nitty-gritty.html

JL

On Tue, Dec 13, 2011 at 7:36 PM, Victor Steinbok <aardvark66 at gmail.com> wrote:
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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Victor Steinbok <aardvark66 at GMAIL.COM>
> Subject:      Re: nitty-gritty
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Other than "likely valid" (which was in jest--considering the origin of
> the thread) all parts you criticized had been directly quoted. I did not
> write them.
>
>     VS-)
>
> On 12/13/2011 6:54 PM, Wilson Gray wrote:
>> On Tue, Dec 13, 2011 at 4:18 PM, Victor Steinbok<aardvark66 at gmail.com>  wrote:
>>> Online Etymological Dictionary:
>>>
>>>> "basic facts," 1961, knitty-gritty, Amer.Eng., said to have been
>>>> chiefly used by black jazz musicians, perhaps ultimately from nit and
>>>> grits "finely ground corn."
>>> Just the fact that this is a purely 20th century expression should have
>>> ended any speculations on the subject.
>>>
>>> Certainly, 1961 is not right. I just found a 1947 newspaper source.
>>> "Basic facts" is not quite right either (at least, it's not the only
>>> meaning). On the other hand, the ethnic derivation is likely valid.
>>   _chiefly used by black jazz musicians_
>>
>> As were, of course, my grade-school classmates and I, back in the '40's.
>>
>>   _the ethnic derivation is likely valid_
>>
>> Surely, you jest! Or is that meant to be merely sarcastic?
>>
>> The OED Online cites _nitty-gritty_ from 1940, noting
>>
>> colloq. (orig. U.S. in African-American usage).
>>
>> _perhaps ultimately from nit and grits "finely ground corn."_
>>
>> Grits are made from coarsely-ground hominy. Of course, *hominy* is
>> made from corn.
>>
>> --
>> -Wilson
>
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