Tuesday, April 12, 2005

MAQ: Authority Matters

I've found two new authority related items on My Amaranthine Quest (MAQ) to improve my vocabulary:
  • Bustin' Chops
    to "harass by the forcible exertion of one's authority," often by insisting on obedience to pointless rules or orders. Army recruits, for example, assigned by their sergeant to clean their barracks using only toothbrushes, are having their "chops busted." The phrase is of relatively recent origin, first appearing in print only in the 1950's. "Chops" in this case probably harks back to its original 16th century slang meaning of "mouth" or "lips," a "bust in the chops" being the equivalent of a punch in the mouth.
  • Backchatting
    Making snippy replies to someone on a higher authority level (e.g. parents).

2 comments:

Ms Mac said...

And will you use them in everday conversation?

Mr. Urs said...

At least as often as amaranthine.