Letters to WB

To "Vet"

Dear WB:

I have been talking with my colleague about the appropriate use of the term "vet," which is commonly used in the entertainment industry.

Specifically, one often says that they will vet the script prior to airing the piece. This includes a check for accuracy, libel, etc. Do you happen to know the origin of this term?

Thanks,
Lori Rassas, esq

Dear Lori,

The verb "to vet" was originally used to mean "to submit (an animal) to examination or treatment by a veterinary surgeon" [OED]. The term came to be applied most frequently to the examination of race horses for illegal doping. Its meaning has been extended by metaphoric use to include the examination of a person (esp. a political appointee) or thing (esp. a manuscript) for "correctness."

The word is, of course, a contraction of "veterinary" or "veterinarian."

I hope this helps.

S. D. Liddiard,
Origins Guy

For Crying Out Loud

Dear WB:

I was looking for the origin of the phrase "for crying out loud." I am just wondering if I could find some history on this phrase. Please let me know if you can help.

Thanks,
Joseph Benard

Dear Joseph,

"For crying out loud" is a "minced oath" or euphemism that stands in for "For Christ’s sake." Although it may be older, this expression was first recorded in the United States in 1924, and has been attributed to cartoonist Thomas Aloysius Dorgan.

S. D. Liddiard,
Origins Guy