Date: 97-01-13 16:11:42 EST

From: marnr@umich.edu (Marni Rachmiel)

To: Marita2000@aol.com

Hey Marita,

In H.M.S. Pinafore, the phrase "at sixes and at sevens" appears in Buttercup mystery song, i think...let me run down and grab Harry Benford's G&S lexicon and see what he says...

Ah. "[why is everything either at sixes or at sevens?]: The origin of this phrase (more commonly "sixes and sevens") is obscure. It applies to a state of confusion; or of persons, unable to come to an agreement.

Brewer (26) says the phrase comes from dicing. Another explanation proposes that the term arose from the ranking in importance of medieval guilds in London. Two (the tailors and skinners)) had equal claims to sixth rank. To compromise the conflict they agreed to switch sixth and seventh places each year. The expression has been found in literature dating back as far as about 1340 (66)."

And the references:

26 - Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. New York: Harper & Row, 1970.

66 - Farmer, J.S., and Henley, W.E. A Dictionary of Slang. Ware, Herfordshire: Woodsworth Editions Ltd., 1987 (orig. 1890.)

Your take on it is quite interesting also...perhaps Harry would like to hear it....

So are Amnon and Jen taking swing dancing? I've done a bit myself - it's lots of fun... I really like the funky turning Swedish couple dances, like Hambo and Zwiefacher... :)

Hope y'all are well!

:) marn