You are, as ever, too kind. Did you know of John Henry? Slang takes me to some odd corners. To my lifelong shame, I double-checked your grandfather's clock info. I mean, come-on, FFS, surely...? But there it is, in the OED. Indelibly linked (the song) with the early ’50s when it got regular airplay on BBC request programs. That and, inter alia, 'Three Coins in the Fountain', and for me and my contemporaries, 'The Laughing Policeman' with much loud and raucous laughter instead of choruses.
You are, as ever, too kind. Did you know of John Henry? Slang takes me to some odd corners. To my lifelong shame, I double-checked your grandfather's clock info. I mean, come-on, FFS, surely...? But there it is, in the OED. Indelibly linked (the song) with the early ’50s when it got regular airplay on BBC request programs. That and, inter alia, 'Three Coins in the Fountain', and for me and my contemporaries, 'The Laughing Policeman' with much loud and raucous laughter instead of choruses.
Thank you, T, as ever.
Well, that was simply magnificent and magnificently informative!
I'll echo what Benjamin said. A fascinating read!