Libby is indicted, resigns

[warch]

The pres was in the loop.

[Elspode]

Sure he was. The boy is only just barely smart enough to think up a frigging frat trick like outing a spook out of spite. They're all a bunch of elitist rich frat boys who are used to getting their way. I hope they enjoy going to prison and having Bubba get his way with them as his new bitches.

Kiddies, let this be a lesson to you. Greed is bad.

[Griff]

There is just a wiff of traction in the air.

[richlevy]

Does anyone know where the phrase "The Fall guy" comes from. It's not because someone is 'falling' from their position.

The phrase comes from Albert Fall, a Republican who was involved in another turn-of-the-century scandal. .

His failure to have competitive bidding for the reserves resulted in the Teapot Dome scandal trials between 1924-1929. The investigation found Fall guilty of conspiracy and bribery of $100,000 paid to him by Edward L. Doheny. Fall was jailed for one year as a result - the first former cabinet officer sentenced to prison as a result of misconduct in office.

Mr. Doheny was not only acquitted on the charge of bribing Fall, but Doheny's corporation forclosed on Fall's home in Tularosa Basin, New Mexico, because of "unpaid loans" which turned out to be that same $100,000 bribe.

Maybe 40 years from now, they'll be saying "The Libby guy".

[tw]

Originally Posted by richlevy

Does anyone know where the phrase "The Fall guy" comes from. ... The phrase comes from Albert Fall, a Republican who was involved in another turn-of-the-century scandal.

The Wikipedia article does imply how the term 'Fall guy' could have been created. But it does not say so specifically. IOW is there a better source that specifically cited the origins of 'fall guy'? And is there a description of how the event eventually resulted in the expression - ie a newpaper reporter?

The term "Mission Accomplished" should be an expression defining another political method of lying - or how a nation can "Peral Harbor" another and not feel guilty. But I doubt it. What was it that made 'fall guy' so generic? Was this another creation of W Randolph Hurst?

Originally Posted by tw

The Wikipedia article does imply how the term 'Fall guy' could have been created. But it does not say so specifically. IOW is there a better source that specifically cited the origins of 'fall guy'? And is there a description of how the event eventually resulted in the expression - ie a newpaper reporter?

The term "Mission Accomplished" should be an expression defining another political method of lying - or how a nation can "Peral Harbor" another and not feel guilty. But I doubt it. What was it that made 'fall guy' so generic? Was this another creation of W Randolph Hurst?

I did a Google on the origin of the term and another explanation is that it originated in Britain around 1906:

A scapegoat, one who is blamed for the actions of others. For example, He refused to be the fall guy for his colleagues. This expression uses fall in the sense of “consequences” or “blame,” which originated in prison slang. [Slang; early 1900s] Also see take the fall.

An easy victim, one who is readily duped. For example, His friends had marked him as the fall guy—they knew he would believe their ruse. [Slang; early 1900s

Perhaps Albert Fall's mis-adventures helped the term become a part of American English, as well.

[xoxoxoBruce]

No, Wikipedia states that;

The word's origin dates back to the 1920s, during the administration of U.S. President Warren G. Harding (1921 - 1923). The term is allegedly named for Albert B. Fall, a U.S. Senator from New Mexico who served as Secretary of the Interior during Harding's years in office and became notorious for his involvement in the infamous Teapot Dome Scandal.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

No, Wikipedia states that;

Ahh, vindicated. hank you.