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A bit of pedantry: it is "on the lam" not "on the lamb" but that is a common enough misconception that I feel pointing it out is actually productive rather than
by sophacles 16y ago
A bit of pedantry: it is "on the lam" not "on the lamb" but that is a common enough misconception that I feel pointing it out is actually productive rather than nit-picky.
- random42 16y agoAbsolutely. I am not a native speaker, so I appreciate it, when people improve my knowledge of the English language.
- Natsu 16y agoI just read your last two comments carefully. If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have thought that you were a native speaker of English. The lam/lamb mistake is exactly the sort of thing that even native speakers would screw up. You also have an extra comma in "appreciate it, when" but that's minor. It's probably because you invite people to correct you that you're so good.
- wlievens 16y agoSame here. Your last comma is probably superfluous, I think.
- giberson 16y agoThanks for the clarification. To me, as an idiomatic expression goes, it always made sense to be on the "lamb". I thought the expression had originated from shepherding--like a shepherd chasing after a loose sheep.
- caf 16y agoThe online etymology dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=lam http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=lam) says it's of uncertain origin, but does not mention ovines.
- kenjackson 16y agoIt comes from lam meaning to thrash or pound. So you're stomping your feet running quickly.