who are we?

[Robin Landseadel]

Maybe a low fastball?
On Dec 23, 2009, at 12:49 PM, Jude Bloom wrote:

> It's a high lowball, or a low highball.  Mixture of the high and low
> for maximum contrast and word-chewability.  When I was in London, I
> overheard someone tell his buddy (?) that he (the buddy) was an
> "unimaginative, platitudinous cunt."  Well, I thought.  That's him
> telt.  Whether he's really smart or really stupid -- I think he got
> the message.

Would a "Low Highball" have been slipped one of those "Mickeys" that  
always seem to take down Philip Marlowe? Like Doc's PCP-laden joint?

> On Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 2:37 PM, Elaine Bell  
> <elainemmbell at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hey smart people--what is the term for figures of speech like  
>> "solipsistic
>> twerp" (quoted earlier in this thread) or, e.g., malingering nerd?   
>> Formal
>> adjective followed by slang noun?  Seems like it should be called
>> something.  Perhaps, a counter-locution?  Christmas goose? Plister?

You mean like one of those characters in Inherent Vice who always say  
everything as if it were a question?