"send the wrong message"

[Joel S. Berson]

At 10/14/2011 02:12 PM, Victor Steinbok wrote:
>...because it refers to "signals".

I see under signal, n., "2. An indication or token of a fact,
quality, future occurrence, etc.; a sign, a symbol."  Seems right on
to me re "mixed signals".

Joel

>If someone is confused about "mixed
>signals", it's no more about "signals" than a false-flag operation is
>about "flags"--in the latter case, at least not since the early 1800s.
>
>     VS-)
>
>On 10/14/2011 11:25 AM, Joel S. Berson wrote:
>>At 10/14/2011 12:56 AM, Victor Steinbok wrote:
>>>"Mixed signals" should be even more fun. The OED gives essentially the
>>>literal meaning, apparently oblivious to the fact that the latter two
>>>quotes are anything but literal:
>>Why do you think the following definition is only literal?
>>
>>"mixed signals n. signals which (apparently) contradict each other
>>(cf. mixed message n.)."
>>
>>Joel
>
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