That works...(NFM) (EMMA BOARD message #2027)

That works...(NFM)

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Posted by Kali on October 03, 1997 at 01:08:57:

In response to Conundrum, written by Mitch on October 02, 1997 at 21:36:03

] ] ] ...I personally would only see Mr. Weston's statement as a pun. If it were "a contradiction in terms" wouldn't he be unbelievably rude?

] ] ] ...simple Miss Bates would see the meaning of Emma's thoughtless yet witty remark, and yet Emma doesn't get the tweak in Mr. Weston's equally thoughtless remark? Certainly Mr. Weston wouldn't say something rude on purpose...but the appropriateness of such an inadvertant shot sounds very Austen....

] ]

] ] If we can agree that Mr. Weston doesn't say something rude on purpose, then we can agree that the other meaning of conundrum could be there. My point was that it isn't in character for Mr. Weston to be chiding Emma that way.

] ] Have you checked the OED for usage dates on both meanings, Traci?

]
]

] For what it's worth the 1828 Websters dictionary defines it as "A low jest" which fits with what Fr° about a conundrum rating low.

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