Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Book Discussion: Brokeback Mountain
Sason:
--- Quote from: Tony-Ranger on April 22, 2011, 02:49:52 pm ---We never did adequately answer Rich's question about the meaning of pitching a pup tent on the QT. :'( What does QT mean anyway? I always thought it meant quiet time, but that really doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Your thoughts?
--- End quote ---
According to my online dictionary (tyda.se) 'on the QT' means 'secretly, in secret'.
I thought it was because I'm not a native speaker I didn't understand it.
Isn't it a standard phrase?
Front-Ranger:
Well, that does seem to definitively answer the question!!
No, it's not a standard phrase in the U.S. It's old fashioned and militaristic. But that's how Aguirre was so it seems perfect for him. Plus, like many of the phrases Annie used, it is slightly ambiguous and seems a wee bit racy. She might have used it because it could be translated as "Queer Time" instead.
Penthesilea:
--- Quote from: Tony-Ranger on April 22, 2011, 02:49:52 pm --- Your thoughts?
--- End quote ---
When I first read it in the SS, I assumed it's one of those "Western phrases" (Western as in The West, not as in the movie genre).
I didn't find any evidence for that though. And in response to the phrases.org.ok article, I rather think it's not a Western phrase. Maybe quite the contrary, maybe it's one of those "strange/unusual/Prouxian phrases, like the above mentioned (by you) slopped.
My thoughts? As a foreign speaker, to me "qt" meaning simply "quiet" makes complete sense.
I had never heard or read "on the qt" before I read the short story for the first time, and it caught my eye and I looked the expression up.
Lee's reply came in while I was typing.
Marina:
Yay, a Brokeback discussion! I will never tire of the beauty of this film.
Yes, i have heard the phrase "on the QT" (somewhat) frequently, (or at least before!) meaning secretively, maybe in reference to breaking the rules of some kind. Just more references to society and the unfortunate having to hide their relationship. :(
Jeff Benson:
When analyzing a story, I always consider the first impressions of the
reader: what he or she see perceives as the message of the author. Only
later when you pour over the text again and again do other symbols and
imagery reveal themselves. Some of these may have been intended by the
author. Some may have in fact worked on the subconscious mind of the
reader, when the story was first read. For some these deep layers may
have been instantly recognized on first reading. That is not how I operate.
My operating principle is that the symbolism and imagery has to have a
plausible connection to the theme and messages that the author is trying
to convey. 8)
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