"Road To Morocco" Question

MichaelBA · 12-13-2005, 01:24 PM

In ROAD TO MOROCCO, at the beginning, when Hope and Crosby are stranded on the raft, Bing flips a coin to see who would eat each other. Hope's character doesn't get that that's what they flipped for. And Crosby's character begins to clue him in with this expression: "Well, junior, I've got a T.L. for ya."

What does "T.L." mean?

MichaelBA · 12-20-2005, 07:37 AM

After some research through the New York Public Library, I have answered my own question.

"T.L." stands for "trade last."

According to the Oxford English Dictionary:
>>trade-last, 'U.S.', a compliment offered in exchange for one that is directed towards the speaker; also, in weakened sense, a compliment, whether reciprocal or not.<<

According to the Randomhouse Dictionary:
>>trade-last: n. 'Informal Older Use'. a compliment that one has heard and that one offers to tell the person so complimented under the condition that that person will first report a compliment made about oneself.
Abbr.: T.L. [1890-95, 'Amer'.]<<

So, Bing's character was ostensibly using the expression "T.L." ironically, given the background of Hope's blissful ignorance that they'd been flipping a coin to decide who would cannibalize the other.

Glenn Overholt · 12-20-2005, 10:31 AM

But Bing & Bob never compliment each other!

I don't know the answer, but I don't think tht is it. I'd rather think that it was just some informal slang, like using "B.S." How many years was that in use before it made it to a dictionary? How many slang terms never did?

Its got me thinking,though.

Glenn

MichaelBA · 12-20-2005, 10:44 AM

As I say, it seems like it's an ironic usage of "T.L" from Bing to Hope, since Bing is about to explain that Hope will make up a tasty meal, if need be.

george kaplan · 12-20-2005, 12:21 PM

I would have guessed "tough luck"

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