get the snafu

[Arnold Zwicky]

On Apr 29, 2014, at 3:28 PM, Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Poster:       Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at GMAIL.COM>
> Subject:      get the snafu
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> A new one on me. And note primitive spelling:
>
> 1943 _Racine Journal-Times_ (Sept. 19) 4: "They probably got the snafoo
> from a German patrol," said the driver. "These hills are full of Germans.
> Particularly snipers."

pretty clearly an ear spelling -- from someone who had heard the word but not seen it in print, and didn't know (orm appreciate) its derivation.

arnold

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