Here Hear Here Hear and Other Expressions

[Benjamin]

> David wrote:
> I associate Hear, Hear with Parliament and the Pickwick Club, but 
> doubtless it has long and complicated antecedents.
> 

I always thought it was "here, here" as in, "Me, here, I agree with 
that, look at me" not only you agree with what the guy has said but, 
more importantly (for parliment at least) you will stand up and put 
your name to that opinion (and scream 'here, here' and jump up and 
down waving your hands frantically, to make sure that you are 
counted.  I'm sure that's what happens in Whitehall, anyway)

"Opposition laughter and government cries of shame!"
"They didn't actually cry 'shame!'"
"Quite so, Minister"

-Ben.


> I also think there are lots of expressions of this type that are 
> likely to confuse, but I can't think of any at the moment.

Gordon Bennett, for one.