Date: Tue, 7 Feb 1995 12:12:00 -0800 (PST) From: julian@tfs.com (Julian Elischer) To: terry@cs.weber.edu (Terry Lambert) Cc: amurai@spec.co.jp, sysseh@devetir.qld.gov.au, hackers@FreeBSD.org Subject: Re: FreeBSD with Bustec BT-542B SCSI interface Message-ID: <m0rbwGW-0003wVC@TFS.COM> In-Reply-To: <9502071700.AA12168@cs.weber.edu> from "Terry Lambert" at Feb 7, 95 10:00:24 am
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terry says: > > > Stephen says: > > > I have one happily running - use the bt driver. It goes like the > > > clappers considering its age. > > > > By the way, What "clappers considering its age" means ? > > Could you explain for a language handicaper like me ;-)? > > Well, in American, it's either a reference to "the clapper", or > a reference to "Flappers". I've never heard the second as a term of speed, but to go like the clappers is used in AUS a lot.. My imagination always connected it with something that is 'clapped out' (worn out in OZ at least). which led me to believe that a clapper was some proffession in times gone past (probably in england) in which one had to run fast and ended up exhausted.. I don't know if it's connected with the phrase 'to be knackered' (in OZ slang this does NOT mean to be emasculated, but rather to be exhausted.. (no longer of any use)) which probably was related to worn-out horses being sent to the knackers to be turned into glue. (or whatever) in my mind however I see some connection.. > > This made it economically profitable for "Gangsters" (people like > "Al Capone") to manufacture and import, even in the face of the > penalties for doing so, since the rewards were so high relative > to the probability of getting caught. as the term is heavily used in Australia, where prohibition was not in effect, this sounds an unlikely cause. the fact that it's heavily used in both places would suggest english origin (though not neccesarily). > > The "Gangster period" is largely responsible for the mistaken > impression the rest of the world seems to have that "all Americans > carry guns". from My living here I've never seen such a gun-crazy country .. :) >
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