by and Large or by in large

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Bailey
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by and Large or by in large

Postby Bailey » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:41 pm

we will be canvassing the area, but by and large [by in large?] we will be expecting the answer to come to us.

so which is it? Or neither? They both sound wrong, but then after cogitating a while on a single phrase it would.

mark just-large Bailey

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Stargzer
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Postby Stargzer » Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:10 am

According to the Good Doctor's Favorite, the American Heritage Dictionary, this was originally a nautical term, me hearty!:
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

by and large

ADVERB: For the most part; generally: By and large, the play was a success.
ETYMOLOGY: Earlier, to (the wind) and off it, in one direction and another (said of the manner of handling a sailing vessel) : by[sup]1[/sup], toward + large, with the wind abaft the beam.
Online Etymology Dictionary:
... By and large (1669) was originally nautical, "sailing to the wind and off it," hence "in one direction then another."
Regards//Larry

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Postby Perry » Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:17 am

by, toward + large, with the wind abaft the beam.
So this expression could also be used to express a hopeless endeavor, because it is like trying to sail pointed to the wind with a spinnaker.

:roll: Ahoy!
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Stargzer
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Postby Stargzer » Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:42 pm

No, I think "abaft the beam" means the wind is coming from behind the boat, so a spinnaker should fill out. Sailing into the wind can be done, but it's a rather tacky proposition so I'm told.

Stargzer is a stinkpotter, not a blow-boater.
Regards//Larry

"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee

Bailey
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Postby Bailey » Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:08 pm

ok good so it's by and large, not by an large or even in large?

Thanks.

mark at-large Bailey

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melissa
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By and large

Postby melissa » Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:31 pm

As a pirate, I would say translate as 'one way or another' , but as a non-pirate, I would say 'whatever'. By and large either way.

Perry
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Postby Perry » Sat Jul 07, 2007 5:31 pm

No, I think "abaft the beam" means the wind is coming from behind the boat, so a spinnaker should fill out. Sailing into the wind can be done, but it's a rather tacky proposition so I'm told.

Stargzer is a stinkpotter, not a blow-boater.
Just so. But it was written above that the by part means toward, hence my remark of tacking to the wind with a spinnaker.
"Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening all at once. Lately it hasn't been working."
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Re: By and large

Postby sluggo » Sat Jul 07, 2007 6:46 pm

As a pirate, I would say translate as 'one way or another' , but as a non-pirate, I would say 'whatever'. By and large either way.
As a pirate, I would say "by and laarrrrrrge!"

I've only ever heard it with "and". "By in large" would seem one of those spoken-to-written corruptions we all buy in large quantities...
Stop! Murder us not, tonsured rumpots! Knife no one, fink!

Stargzer
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Postby Stargzer » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:41 am

Yeah, that makes sense:
By and large

By 'n' large

By in large
So, "by in large" can be shown to be the result of a mis-hearing of lazy speech.

:D

Unless, of course, one is referring to acquisition at a wholesaler or a store such as Sam's Club or BJ's, in which case it would be:
Buy in large
:lol:
Regards//Larry

"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee

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Re: By and large

Postby Bailey » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:31 pm

As a pirate, I would say translate as 'one way or another' , but as a non-pirate, I would say 'whatever'. By and large either way.
As a pirate, I would say "by and laarrrrrrge!"

I've only ever heard it with "and". "By in large" would seem one of those spoken-to-written corruptions we all buy in large quantities...
sluggo you are a hoot!

mark "chuckles" Bailey

Today is the first day of the rest of your life, Make the most of it...
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sluggo
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Re: By and large

Postby sluggo » Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:42 am

As a pirate, I would say translate as 'one way or another' , but as a non-pirate, I would say 'whatever'. By and large either way.
As a pirate, I would say "by and laarrrrrrge!"

I've only ever heard it with "and". "By in large" would seem one of those spoken-to-written corruptions we all buy in large quantities...
sluggo you are a hoot!

mark "chuckles" Bailey
(Owl'll take that as a compliment.)
-such as "could of" for could have.
I couldn't of thought of it before of curse...
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Postby gailr » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:12 pm

Avast! runnin' a reminder by large and small pirates that International Talk Like Pirate Day be advancin' smartly.

sluggo
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Postby sluggo » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:29 pm

Avast! runnin' a reminder by large and small pirates that International Talk Like Pirate Day be advancin' smartly.
Arrr! Thar be new iconogrrrrraphy! The saucy wench has arrrrrtdone herrrrself. Extra ration of grog!
To me, way, hey! Shiver me appendix! Q-tip the deck!

jest practicin'...
Stop! Murder us not, tonsured rumpots! Knife no one, fink!

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gailr
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Postby gailr » Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:50 am

Shiver me appendix! Q-tip the deck!
Arrrr! That be right clever, matey!

I screened Stardust with some scurvy dogs this weekend and enjoyed Robert DeNiro's...pirattitude. Love Neil Gaiman's work, but it's not for everyone, even without pirates.

-gailrrrrr
PS: Thanks, but the 'plume is mightier than the swashbuckle' avatarrrrr is recycled from TLAPDs past. I thank'ee fer the grog.

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Postby Perry » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:48 am

Image
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