In a message dated 99-09-28 17:21:26 EDT, you write:
<< I did a search on the Net for the meaning of "dead nuts." Your page came
up
with a copy of a question and answer from Glyn Churchman and David Maxfield.
Reading the correspondence between the two, I couldn't quite get the meaning
of dead nuts. What I am really wondering is where did the phrase come from?
Do you know?
Paula J. Peckham
Inside Sales
817.332.6151, ext. 139
>>
Dear Paula:
I was involved in the original discussion concerning the subject and believe
that my scholarly answer was fairly definitive:
The term derives from the custom of using an infinity-like symbol as the zero
on older, precision machine tools and meter movements. (Infinity symbol is
like an 8 rotated 90 deg.) Such a marking makes it a little easier to tell
if you're off in one direction or another. I believe the verbiage was simply
the associated male hyperbole describing this symbol with its attendant
jocularity and good fellowship.
I hope that other scholars of Engineering Usage will present exciting new
evidence, but today this the best we can discern from the materials on hand.
Ed
Ed Grenda
Castle Island Co.
19 Pondview Road
Arlington, MA 02474 USA
781-646-6280 (voice or fax)
EdGrenda@aol.com (email)
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