Hack

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jeff_999

#133427 Sat, 03 Sep 05 10:58 AM

When praising words overwhelm Alan Greenspan, Harry Reid, the Senate minority leader, instead said, "I'm not a big Greenspan fan. I think he's one of the biggest political hacks we have in Washington."

Is "hack" here a derogatory term? Or just means someone who is employed, like a hackney? I guess it's a derogatory word, because the article continued,

"His harsh comment was politely overlooked in governing circles, like an off-color joke told at a Washington dinner party."

So, what exactly is "off-color"? Where'd it originate from?

Thank you. Smile [:)]

jeff_999

Joined on Wed, Oct 20 2004

Xiamen

Regular Member (810)

Articles, Jokes

Mister Micawber

#133477 Sat, 03 Sep 05 02:54 PM

1-- hack: a politician who belongs to a small clique that controls a political party for private rather than public ends.

2-- off-colour: in violation of good taste, even verging on the indecent. I don't know and cannot find the etymology of this idiomatic expression; perhaps it is the obvious: the joke is not of an appropiate 'colour' (cf colour scheme) for the occasion.