Introduction
When someone has a hidden, ulterior motive for what he does, we say ‘he has an axe to grind’. The origin of this saying appears to be an essay in the Luzerne Federalist, a Pennsylvania newspaper, for September 7th, 1810. The author, Charles Miner, edited the paper with his brother Asher; later, Charles became an anti-slavery campaigner and a Congressman.
When I was a little boy, Messrs Printers,* I remember one cold winter’s morning, I was accosted by a smiling man, with an ax on his shoulder, — “My pretty boy,” said he, “has your father a grindstone?” “Yes, sir,” said I.
“You are a fine little fellow,” said he, “will you let me grind my ax on it?” Pleased with his compliment of “fine little fellow” — “O, yes, sir,” — I answered, “it is down in the shop.”
“And will you my man,” said he, patting me on the head, “get a little hot water?”
How could I refuse? I ran and soon brought a kettle full.
“How old are you, and what’s your name,” continued he without waiting for a reply. “I am sure you are one of the finest lads that I have ever seen, will you just turn a few minutes for me?”
Précis
Charles Miner recalled how, when he was a child, a man had come to his home and asked for the use of the family’s grindstone. Eager to oblige so courteous and flattering a visitor, young Charles had shown him where the grindstone stood, and fetched some hot water. He even agreed to turn the stone.
(55 / 60 words)
Charles Miner recalled how, when he was a child, a man had come to his home and asked for the use of the family’s grindstone. Eager to oblige so courteous and flattering a visitor, young Charles had shown him where the grindstone stood, and fetched some hot water. He even agreed to turn the stone.
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Variations:
1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words.
2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words.
3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, although, despite, just, not, otherwise, ought, whereas.
Word Games
Suggest answers to this question. See
if you can limit one answer to exactly
seven words.
Variations:
1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words.
2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words.
3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Express the ideas below in a single
sentence, using different words as much as possible.
Do not be satisfied with the first answer you
think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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