Posted by PeterH on September 22, 2006 at 15:58:29 from 81.132.218.169 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Hotting up the past with smoke? posted by andyb on September 21, 2006 at 09:24:27:
It is some time since the TPS (TarBoard Pedants Society) intervened in a topic but, as a paid-up member, I think I must do my duty here (not 'hear'). I note that some Tarboarders (plural - I am not just singling out Bearded Buxtonites), when expressing enthusiastic agreement, write 'Here here!' (spelt thus). I have always understood the phrase to be spelt 'Hear! hear!' The OED gives - 'hear! hear! = (as form of cheering, often iron.)' It does not give the derivation, although I have always understood the phrase to be Parliamentary (ie UK Parliament). (The OED has a double vertical line in front of 'hear! hear!', which signifies 'not U.S.'). In my OED there is no mention of the phrase under 'here'.
In those famous words: 'Perhaps, Ed, you could do a search for 'hear hear' and prove I am right.' Ed - this time it's not a spoof - I would be interested to know if 'hear hear' occurs in AR's text, but I am fairly certain it doesn't.