The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #155101   Message #3645482
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
26-Jul-14 - 12:30 PM
Thread Name: 'A Load Of Who Shot John' - Meaning and origin?
Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
See the NY Times column, "On Language; Who Shot John?" by William Safire, Dec. 21, 1986, on line.

He discusses possible origins. The column also discusses a number of other expressions, such as "a Charleston butterfly," and "a Rocky Mountain canary."