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Subject: 
Re: Who oversees the rec.toys.LEGO newsgroup?
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.off-topic.debate
Date: 
Mon, 31 Jan 2000 05:19:28 GMT
Viewed: 
2432 times
  
In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Larry Pieniazek writes:
> Peter Callaway wrote:
> > 
> > In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Larry Pieniazek writes:
> > > Peter Callaway wrote:
> > > 
> > > > So to draw a longish bow ...
> > > 
> > > This is an interesting usage, can you tell me what it means? To make a
> > > farfetched argument by exaggeration?
> 
> > Are you referring to the use of this phrase or the content of my argument?
> > Have I used something incorrectly?
> 
> I have no idea if you did or not, although I'd tend to doubt it. I'm
> asking what the phrase "to draw a longish bow" means, NOT trying to
> critique the overall argument. I snipped it all away except for the
> phrase because that's what I was asking about.
> 
> I showed my guess, inferred from context but I have no idea if I am
> right or not, which is why I asked. Hope that clears it up.
> 
> --
> Larry Pieniazek - larryp@novera.com - http://my.voyager.net/lar
> http://www.mercator.com. Mercator, the e-business transformation company
> fund Lugnet(tm): http://www.ebates.com/ ref: lar, 1/2 $$ to lugnet.
> 
> Note: this is a family forum!

OK, I thought so. When you said "interesting usage" I thought you may have an
alternative meaning (and possibly more correct) to mine. I also detected a
hint of sarcasm, but that could just be me.

The way I have used it is to indicate that I have extended Christophers
argument to it's extreme, and possibly absurd, conclusion. Technically
Christopher could respond to that particular argument by saying "That's
drawing a long bow" and then proceed to tell me why my inference from his
initial statement is "taking it too far". I've just preempted him. Similarly
if I inferred something from his initial statement that was boarderline in
relevance to the discussion, he could respond in the same way.

I don't know the origin of this phrase, and it isn't used very often in
everyday language. Hope that helps.


Pete Callaway

P.S. I hope everyone realises that "bow" is referring to the piece of archery
equipment.



Message has 1 Reply:
  Re: Who oversees the rec.toys.LEGO newsgroup?
 
(...) So it wasn't about sketching a clown's big floppy bowtie? Oh well ;-) Chris (27 years ago, 31-Jan-00, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

Message is in Reply To:
  Re: Who oversees the rec.toys.LEGO newsgroup?
 
(...) I have no idea if you did or not, although I'd tend to doubt it. I'm asking what the phrase "to draw a longish bow" means, NOT trying to critique the overall argument. I snipped it all away except for the phrase because that's what I was (...) (27 years ago, 31-Jan-00, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

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