Fun with phrases: "in a previous life"

[Joel S. Berson]

The only form I still find funny is "in a previous incarnation".  But
then I laugh at all religions.  I'm unbiased.

Joel

At 7/16/2012 09:06 PM, Benjamin Barrett wrote:
>I agree. I don't think anything of this expression.
>
>The important thing about "in a previous life/existence" is that
>it's the only easy way to express this concept. Victor Steinbok
>provided a good summation: "usually characterized by a different
>location, profession or employment, but occasionally also referring
>to just earlier stages, such college or school years, or periods
>marked by a cataclysmic event, such as a family member's death, divorce, etc."
>
>I guess you can say "in an earlier stage of my life," but the time
>for that is now passed.
>
>BTW, I found "previous incarnation" at
>http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/incarnation.
>
>Benjamin Barrett
>Seattle, WA
>
>On Jul 16, 2012, at 5:23 PM, Jonathan Lighter wrote:
>
> > If "in a previous life" requires a "humorous" label,  shouldn't "in a
> > previous existence" require one too?
> >
> > My theory is that the humor of both has long ago worn thin and that people
> > use them neutrally now, rather like "I could care less."
>
>------------------------------------------------------------
>The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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