I need someone older than me* to explain a slang term

[Oeditpus Rex]

There's an episode of "MASH" in which Col. Potter calls Gen. Hamilton at I-Corps regarding rumors that the 4077th will "bug out" — pull up stakes and move to a new location. On the phone, Potter says to the general, "That straight, Bink?" and then something that sounds like "Emmus?"

I can't figure for the life of me what "emmus" could mean, and stuff like this is important to me for some strange reason.









*If such people exist.

[Shine]

1. Are you sure he didn't say "BS" , as in short for "bullshit" ?

since you are getting to be such a venerable age, maybe you mis-heard the term.

:P

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. That'd be kinda hard to confuse

Anyway, I've been hearing it that way since "MASH" was in first-run.

For awhile, I wondered if it could be "ennus," which could translate into "N.S." for "No shit?" but it's quite clearly an 'm' sound.









Oh, and

[yewberry]

3. I really wish you hadn't asked this.

Now I need to know, too.

My dad loved that show and I've seen them all so many times that I...well, damn. I can't stand it.

Could Potter have been asking, "And us?"

Arg.

[Oeditpus Rex]

6. Nuh-uh

One, that wouldn't make sense in context. Two, the cadence isn't right. Three, it's definitely an "em" sound.

[Cabcere]

4. I have no idea

but I just wanted to weigh in on this thread to point out that Alan Alda is exactly fifty years older than me. :silly: :hi:

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. Strange

He's fifty-three years older than me. :shrug:

[Cabcere]

7. *does some calculations*

So, that means you're legal, then... :evilgrin:










Sorry...couldn't resist. :blush:

[Oeditpus Rex]

9. Barely

Why? Am I going to Vegas? :shrug:

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. It was just poor English - instead of asking "Are we?" he asked "Am us?"

:rofl:

[Oeditpus Rex]

10. Potter was with Firesign Theatre?

http://www.firesigntheatre.com/aboutus.html

[sazemisery]

11. Is this the episode?

97. Bug Out (U-801-802)
September 21, 1976
Written by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum
Directed by Gene Reynolds
Guest Stars: Ricahrd Lee Sung, Frances Fong, Don Eitner, Barry Cahill,
Peter Zapp, James Lough, Eileen Saki, Ko-Ko Tani

After a rumor grows out of proportion, the 4077th moves out, assured
that the Chinese are about to attack. Hawkeye, B.J., and Hot Lips remain
behind as they are in the middle of critical surgery. All is well when
the Chinese are pushed back and the camp returns. (one hour show)

[Oeditpus Rex]

12. Yup

Part one.

Technically, it wasn't a one-hour show; it was a two-parter.

[SeattleGirl]

13. Dang it, Oedi!

This is now going to drive me crazy until I get an answer too.

I have the same question every time I see that episode, but now I HAVE TO KNOW! x(

[Oeditpus Rex]

14. I know

It's maddening! :banghead:



Oh — the chopper pilot's dummy just fell on Margaret. :D

[SeattleGirl]

19. Hahahahaha!

That was a great scene.

[Oeditpus Rex]

21. I like the next scene

when B.J. goes after Margaret after she tells him she got the last laugh by writing to Peg and telling her all about their affair, thus totally setting up Winchester. :D



Now it's the episode with the POV of the guy with the throat wound. Not so much fun.

[SeattleGirl]

22. That POV episode is one of my favorites.

Not so much fun, indeed, but a very well-done one.

[Oeditpus Rex]

24. The acting's always seemed a bit wooden to me

Probably because they were reacting to a camera instead of a human.

[The Straight Story]

15. Perhaps this (Latin Amus)

v *amus 1 1p pr act ind : you and I see, we do see, we are seeing
v *amus 2-5 1p pr act sub : were we to see, we might see, we would

[Oeditpus Rex]

25. Yeah, because Potter often lapsed into Latin

"Equus hockey!" and all that.

:)

[darkstar]

16. Not "imshi" is it?

Given "bug out", the Arabic word's meaning seems germain: Gone, Go, be gone, shoo. As in "For real? We have to split?"

Used as World War II Military slang:
http://www.freewebs.com/erdevision/slang.htm

And mispronounced in Indiana Jones but meaning the same thing:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=170174


PS: No way I'm older than you....

[Oeditpus Rex]

26. Nope

It's definitely "em-us."



Dunno about that site, either. The R.E. 8 "Harry Tate" was a WWI aircraft, not WWII.

[The Straight Story]

17. And/or this other meaning for it

Verb form

amus (conditional mood of ami)

1. would love

[Dr. Strange]

18. Haven't seen it in forever.

Could he be saying "vamoose?"

[grasswire]

20. is the doctor diagnosing someone?

M.S.

Just askin'...

[Lautremont]

23. He's saying that the idea of a bug out gives him a "pink anus."

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

27. good news?

they're not bugging out.

[tigereye]

28. vamoose?

trying to think of things that make sense that sound like that....


could it be another military abbreviation, or something?

[Fredda Weinberg]

29. Emmes ... Yiddish for truth. From the Hebrew n/t

[Oeditpus Rex]

31. BINGO!

:yourock:

[Dangerously Amused]

30. Need more context.

Is Potter trying to confirm the rumor? Or is he telling the Gen. Hamilton that rumor or not, 4077 is not going to bug out?

And, is that the end of the conversation? If not, what comes after it?


* I'm not older than you, though.


Geezer.

[Oeditpus Rex]

32. See above

Must be a Sidney Freedman thing. :D

[MonkeyFunk]

33. Do you have the show recorded?

Just turn on closed-captioning.