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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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Sometimes the 2nd mouse gets the cheese.
torpeau
Left coast of FL
97 Posts
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1
2011/08/05 - 2:09pm
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I heard this expression on CNBC today and thought it was really clever -- never heard it before. I assumed that the 1st mouse would "take one of the team" and the 2nd would come to the sprung trap and get the bait.

I looked up the expression and saw that it is sometimes attached to "the early bird gets the worm." Am I the only one to just discover this mouse expression?

EmmettRedd
859 Posts
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2
2011/08/05 - 4:07pm
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I don't think so. I'm pretty sure my 1.5 year-old granddaughter has not discovered it. (The smiley did not show up.)

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3
2011/08/05 - 4:43pm
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I have heard that phrase before, but only recently - this year. I heard it used in direct contrast to the early bird expression, as in "The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."

I can't remember where I heard it, but it wasn't in the media.

Ron Draney
721 Posts
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4
2011/08/05 - 7:16pm
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It's the same mental territory as the guy on a camping trip who, hearing a bear prowling around just outside the tent, began lacing up his running shoes.

"That's not going to help", said his buddy. "You can't outrun a bear."

"Don't have to. I just have to outrun you!"

Guest
5
2011/08/08 - 4:59am
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I've known the expression with the bear for many years, but I've never heard the one about the second mouse. It has a very nice quality about it. I will doubtless find use for it since our culture's increasing demand for immediacy provokes unwise rushes to judgment and action.

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