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

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

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On the "Edge"
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1
2011/09/20 - 12:10pm
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I told my boss that one of our customers was on "the hairy edge" of getting some papers in on time. I was chastised and told this is inappropriate. I had never thought of this as offensive, but perhaps I'm wrong.

What is the origin of this term? I've googled it but can't find anything.

Thanks!

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2011/09/20 - 1:25pm
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I am a bit surprised by their reaction, unless all slang is inappropriate. It appears to be very old slang. There is no evidence of any sexual reference, but perhaps that was the assumption your colleagues made. It is possibly related to or comes from hair-raising.

Online Etymology Dictionary: hairy

The meanings of risky, dangerous or difficult are listed in most dictionaries, and only sometimes flagged as slang.

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