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Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

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Hog used as a verb as oppossed to noun "Netanyahu to Chuck Todd: 'Don't hog it'"
Guest
1
2013/03/24 - 7:31am

I heard Prime Minister Natanyahu saying

 

"Look, this is not a kosher question," Netanyahu told Todd, "but don't hog it."

 

http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/03/netanyahu-to-chuck-todd-dont-hog-it-159856.html

 

1. I can guess Prime minister trying to make some pun (Hog(pig)=trayf (not kosher)) but I am not familiar with the word "hog" used in verb format. What did he

try to say?

 

2. I have difficulty following the logical flow of his sentence

"Look, this is not a kosher question,,,,,, but don't hog it"

 

Is "but" here used correct? The sentence doesn't flow smoothly to me.

 

Jun Miyamoto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest
2
2013/03/24 - 10:41am

 

It would make sense if it were  "Your question is kosher alright, but don't hog it."  
 
Also Todd was barely coherent when he protested that he was allowed four questions because "Passover starts in a few days." ( But why ? Passover is not especially associated with generosity, not like Thanksgiving. Or maybe he meant that the press would not have access to ask more questions ? )
 
So Obama is left standing as the clear-head king, as often the case.
Ron Draney
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3
2013/03/24 - 12:44pm

Todd's remark has nothing really to do with generosity. Passover observance includes the ritual asking and answering of what are often called "the four questions", having to do with the reason for the holiday and why certain things are done differently at that time.

Guest
4
2013/03/24 - 2:21pm

Hog is used as a verb when it means "taking more than you should fairly take."   This can apply in any situation: food, time, space etc. In this case Todd was being accused of taking more than his fair share of questions.   Netanyahu, recognizing that the word he was about to use, hog, could become part of a pun, added, "Look, this is not a kosher question."   He was probably thinking quicker than his tongue could work and should have taken Robert's suggestion, "Your question is kosher alright", to get the best worded humorous quip.

Guest
5
2013/03/24 - 5:57pm
So a more strictly Spock-logical statement (but very unnice) would be : But  look, this is not a kosher question, and don't hog, kosher or no.  
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