Re: it doesn't dignify a response

Mike Barnes <mikebarnes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

In alt.usage.english, dearcilla wrote:

Mike Barnes wrote:
If you insist on getting the word "dignify" in there, you say "I won't
dignify the film with a response".

The film, however, would not dignify a response. That is strictly
correct. The point of the film is to elicit a response that is
undignified. If the response were to be made, the response would be
undignified. We're not talking about the dignity of the film; we're
talking about the dignity of the response. You see?

No, I don't. Perhaps too much snipping.

I'm surprised to find -- even a little weirded out -- that there does
seem to be some history to this phrase. Oh, about 25% of the Google
results relate to a single White House spokeswoman quote last week --
which I see that dearcilla mentioned in passing and must have assumed we
all knew about. But it shows up in other pages and Usenet posts.

The meaning appears to be "merit" -- doesn't merit a response.

Using the Google Groups date feature, I find these as the oldest in the
Usenet archives:

FORGERY ALERT! ( Enough's Enough !! )
... Much as I think these postings don't dignify a response, and I
risk spawning a discussion on my being a pompous twit, try deleting
these "Ehud-ian" messages ... comp.os.vms - Jun 21 1991, 9:26 pm
by "10267::LALITH"

voting on comp.dcom.fax & usenet "GUIDELINES" / good
faith!
i contacted you and you emailed your refusal to discuss the issue
with me. Yes you did, in a message that didn't dignify a response.
... news.groups - Nov 16 1990, 5:30 pm by Eliot

Muhamad's prophethood
more example of your twisting my words and applying mal-logic to
them. I won't even dignify a response to this crap. Your lack of
... soc.culture.arabic - Feb 24 1990, 12:06 am by Stephen M. Dodd

That last is a bit different -- like the original "I will not dignify
that with a response," it's still the recipient who "won't dignify"
instead of the offending message that "doesn't dignify."

I suspect there's some regionality involved -- I noticed Tennessee and
Texas, so -- Southernish? MW11 does not know of any such meaning.

Dearcilla, do you associate this expression with any region of the US?

--
Best -- Donna Richoux


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Relevant Pages

  • Re: it doesnt dignify a response
    ... The film, however, would not dignify a response. ... We're not talking about the dignity of the film; ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: it doesnt dignify a response
    ... The film, however, would not dignify a response. ... The form of the message conveys their lack of education. ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: it doesnt dignify a response
    ... There are a few other hits on the web. ... hits for "dignify a response" before September 1, ... cause to be or appear impressive or worthy ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: CHIP and Dem Heart Tugging...............
    ... and a White House spokesman declined to ... "dignify those remarks" with a response. ... When they decline to "dignify those remarks" that's usually tantamount ...
    (rec.sport.golf)
  • Re: it doesnt dignify a response
    ... cause to be or appear impressive or worthy ... it doesn't dignify a response ... cause the film to appear worthy of respect. ... If you insist on getting the word "dignify" in there, ...
    (alt.usage.english)