"Let me play _an evil's advocate_." [N(ow) T(ext) -- and citations]

[Joel S. Berson]

Perhaps some connection with "the evil one" = "the Devil"?

Also, Google gives about 592 hits for "*the* evil's advocate" (only
31 for "*an* evil's advocate").  (Arnold cites a couple below.)

Joel

At 9/2/2011 10:10 AM, Arnold Zwicky wrote:
>On Sep 2, 2011, at 6:40 AM, Larry Horn wrote:
>
> > Subject:      Re: "Let me play _an evil's advocate_." [NT]
> >
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Perhaps an orthographically rather than phonologically motivated
> reanalysis, as in (I assume) chaise longue > chaise lounge?
>
>seems likely.  here are a few examples (after weeding out a number
>that seem to come from non-native speakers):
>
>http://slashdot.org/story/11/09/01/1829257/Solar-Company-Folds-After-05B-In-Subsidies
>
>Before anyone jumps to the conclusion that green technology is not
>profitable and therefore a big scam, or a modern religion if you
>will, with all of its guilt, shame and asking for money, let me
>state an opinion that might not be popular here: Maybe, just maybe,
>the subsidies was too low? I know what you think but let me play an
>evil's advocate for a second. How much the fresh air is worth to
>you? To your children? To your children's children? To your
>children's children's grandchildren?
>
>.....
>
>http://boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/631841/
>
>To play the evil's advocate:  but consider that driving is a
>privledge, not a right, ...
>
>.....
>
>http://vicsoriano.blogspot.com/2009/11/of-bullies-and-bullying.html
>
>Of course, we always take side with our daughter because we know
>that she is a good child and a good classmate. But, we also try to
>be impartial and give her classmates the benefit of the doubt. We
>sometimes play the evil's advocate so we can see the other side of the story.
>
>.....
>
>arnold
>
>------------------------------------------------------------
>The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org