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    Wednesday
    Sep212005

    The Latest Military Intelligence

    DateWednesday, September 21, 2005 at 09:03AM

    honore.jpgQuote:  "Don't get stuck on stupid, reporters."  Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, commander of Joint Task Force Katrina

    Figure of Speech:  metallage (meh TALL ah gee), the "Don't give me 'why'" figure

    The metallage (it sort of means "swap" in Greek) takes a word or phrase and uses it as an object within a sentence.  ("I've heard enough No's for today.")

    The general is being a bit unfair.  All the reporters asked was where New Orleans' latest evacuees -- the ones escaping Hurricane Rita -- would be taken this time.  "That's not your business," he snapped, and then he threw his metallage at them.  He must be tired.

    Snappy Answer:  "Don't get stuck on military, General."

    Got a snappier answer?  Email Figaro.

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