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Posts: 1376 (02/14/07 15:16:00) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None I have come across this expression occasionally in American writing in the sense of "to kill". Can anyone enlighten me regarding the origin and age of this expression? in what context would it be preferred to any other word for "kill"?
kurwamac	Re: "take out"	#1	[-]
Posts: 1210 (02/14/07 15:42:02) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I don't know how old it is, but I'd have thought it's a kind of specialised euphemism, used when the speaker regards the killing in question to be justified and more or less a matter of procedure.
Dr Techie	Re: "take out"	#2	[-]
Posts: 9773 (02/14/07 15:45:42) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	First OED2 citation is from Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep (1939). I would hazard a guess that it originates from the notion of taking a person or thing "out of the game" or "out of the picture", in other words, making them no longer a participant in whatever events may occur. Euphemisms for "kill" are common; "take out" seems to be popular in military contexts, where it's often used to refer to destroying targets or enemy assets of various kinds, and not just killing individuals. "Take out" that tank, gun emplacement, bridge, airstrip, factory, etc. Less than 240 to go to reach 10,000, but I doubt I'll make it before Dave shuts us down.
jgorman64	Re: "take out"	#3	[-]
Posts: 3698 (02/14/07 21:22:00) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	252 for me to make 4000
Dr Techie	Re: "take out"	#4	[-]
Posts: 9773 (02/14/07 21:31:46) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Dave himself only lacks 13 to reach 7500. I'm beginning to wonder about the timing here....
ElizaD	take out	#5	[-]
Posts: 5686 (02/14/07 23:41:59) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I could start an argument; That should bump up your score. It's immaterial to me At post 5684.
.	Re: "take out"	#6	[-]
Posts: 1376 (02/14/07 23:45:01) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Thanks all. It does have a chilling, dispassionate, 21st century sound. Good luck with your ten thousand, Dr. Techie. King David made it -- why shouldn't you ? ;-) (1 Samuel 18:7) Keep on smiting!
Dr Techie	Re: take out	#7	[-]
Posts: 9773 (02/15/07 10:16:37) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I could start an argument [John Cleese voice] No you couldn't. [/John Cleese voice] She won't get it.
ElizaD	Re: take out	#8	[-]
Posts: 5686 (02/16/07 02:11:02) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Dear Dr T, it's plain to see You won't give up the ghost Until this site shuts down or you Reach your ten thousandth post.
Steve G	Re: take out	#9	[-]
Posts: 755 (02/16/07 04:21:00) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I reckon I must be the slowest posting long-term resident, so I doubt I will make the 1000 level, unless we keep the site open for another year or two. But then we'll have to wait for Dr. T to get to 15,000...
Eclecticist	Re: "take out"	#10	[-]
Posts: 3 (02/17/07 01:14:16) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Particularly in (American) football, one can "hit" (another kill euphemism) or tackle an opponent very hard with the aim of forcing him out of the game--a strategy often used against the opposing team's star, particularly in the earlier days of the game before padding became ubiquitous. (And with 2, I only lack 9,998 to hit 10,000!)
Eyehawk	Re: "take out"	#11	[-]
Posts: 2309 (02/18/07 00:27:16) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I remember my mom used to threaten me by saying my dad would "take me out behind the woodshed" if I did something bad. And that was a looong time ago.

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