another head-scratcher

[Jonathan Lighter]

ISTR hearing this recently, and more than once, on CNN in non-financial
contexts, i.e., 'to make a request of any kind.'

JL

On Fri, May 4, 2012 at 9:30 AM, Amy West <medievalist at w-sts.com> wrote:

> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Amy West <medievalist at W-STS.COM>
> Subject:      Re: another head-scratcher
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> On 5/4/12 12:00 AM, Automatic digest processor wrote:
> > Date:    Thu, 3 May 2012 17:17:09 -0400
> > From:    Dan Goncharoff<thegonch at GMAIL.COM>
> > Subject: Re: another head-scratcher
> >
> > I know "ask" and "make the ask" from non-profit fundraising. The reason
> for
> > the word to exist is to overcome the reluctance of polite people to talk
> > about money. The "ask" is the conversation about money -- about a
> specific
> > amount of money.
> >
> > Asking someone to donate money is a request.
> >
> > Asking someone to donate $100 is an "ask".
> >
> > I believe the phrase is also used in other contexts, like salary
> > negotiations.
> >
> > DanG
> I've heard the term in the context of "grass-roots" lobbying -- similar
> situation to non-profit fundraising. The "ask" is basically what you're
> asking the legislator to do (sponsor bill, support bill, vote for bill,
> etc.) "To make the ask" seemed to me to indicate the rhetorical moment
> in the conversation where you specify what you want done: everything
> else earlier is building up to this.
>
> ---Amy West
>
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