Cotton Pickin' Minute and Other Idioms Used in Politics

Online, March 14, 2011 (Newswire.com) - It was reported on March 11, 2011 that Conservator Senator Don Meredith took offense to Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff's use of the phrase "cotton picking minute." He felt the phrase was a racial slur. But is it really a racial slur?

A quick visit to Idiomation, a Wordpress blog authored by Peterborough singer-songwriter and disabilities advocate, Elyse Bruce, launches into the history behind the phrase. It also references newspaper and websites that have made use of the phrase, not only in years gone by, but in recent years as well.

"Idiomation was started to help people on the Autism Spectrum to better understand figurative language," explains Ms. Bruce, "but it didn't take long before history buffs, newspaper hounds, educators and everyday folk began visiting the site." Bruce says she is pleased to see another one of her projects do so well.

Readers oftentimes send in suggestions and once their suggestions find their way onto the site, they are listed under "Friends Of Idiomation" for their contributions. Most often, suggestions lead to a themed week. In fact, this week at Idiomation has been named "Political Gaffe Week."

"If there are any Senators or Party Leaders in Ottawa who would like to see an expression researched before it's used in order to sidestep any potential miscommunications, Idiomation would be more than happy to help out where it can," Ms. Bruce says with a broad smile.

Last week, Idiomation recorded as many hits in under 10 weeks as it received in all of last year. And today's entry at Idiomation, believe it or not, is "cotton picking minute."

Idiomation 14 Mar 2011: http://idiomation.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/cotton-pickin-minute/