I was going back and forth with TC about some minor thing, and he responded in an especially clever way, and when I went to reply, I didn't even stop to think before typing touché.
Which got me to thinking.
Back before the Republicans tried to ban the use of all things French, it was not at all uncommon for people to say touché. Invariably, one would say this when another had scored a telling point upon him or her, usually, in the case of some kind of verbal duel.
As I understand it, touché comes from fencing or something similar -- a sport that is a stylized form of sword-fighting in which the winner is determined by something less extreme than the number of hacked-off limbs. Points for style, as it were.
So here's the thing. In our games of verbal fencing, the one who gets scored upon acknowledges that fact by saying touché. The one who deals the critical thrust does not say it. Is it the same way when épées are in hand?
Since touching a well-padded opponent with the tip of the flimsy sword is unlikely to cause obvious effect, it seems to me more likely that the victor would be inclined to claim touché: a triumphant shout that ends the match. Or has fencing long been a sport so honorable that the one scored upon is trusted to acknowledge defeat?
2 comments:
Well, in most fencing meets, fencers are hooked up to a reel, which atatches to a machine. (I call it the beeper thing, forget real name.) The swords and the fencer's "Body Cord" are hooked up to the reel. Anytime a player scores a touch, the beepy thing will make a really loud, obnoxious beep and light up. :D
LOL!
So much for my wondering about the antique aspects of the sport!
Thanks for the info.
Post a Comment