| 释义 |
pushmi-pullyu, pushme-pullyou|ˈpʊʃmiːˈpʊljuː|
[f. phrs. push me and pull you: see push v. 1 a.]
A fabulous creature resembling a llama, but with a head at both ends, invented by Hugh Lofting (1886–1947) in Doctor Dolittle (see quot. 1922); hence (with spelling rationalized), applied allusively to incoherent or ambivalent attitudes or policies.
Widely popularized by the film version of Doctor Dolittle (1967).
1922H. Lofting Doctor Dolittle x. 92 Pushmi-pullyus are now extinct... They had no tail, but a head at each end, and sharp horns on each head... Only half of him slept at a time. The other head was always awake—and watching. 1964Daily Tel. 5 May 16/2 With one hand it [sc. the Government] may give them incentives to get out of London. With the other, it already gives them incentives to stay where they are... The total effect of these push-me-pull-you policies must be conjectural. 1972Guardian 11 Jan. 12/2 The Push-me Pull-you Bill. 1972Times 28 Nov. 14/6 The [Labour] party's imitation of a Pushme-Pullyou over the European Parliament. 1974Economist 21 Dec. 52/2 Wilsonologists are now trying to work out..whether his pushme-pullyou performance was due to..agnosticism on the common market..or..a shrewd eye on the polls. 1975W. Percy Message in Bottle i. 19 Man's theory about himself doesn't work any more..because its parts are incoherent and go off in different directions like Dr. Doolittle's pushmi-pullyu. 1976Times Lit. Suppl. 2 Apr. 399/3 Children likewise seem to need jabberwockies and pushmipullyous [sic] to help them learn the boundaries of the natural order. |