Ernie Anastos vaulted onto the world stage when he said a bad word on television. He apologized, his bosses said they were disappointed, and thousands of YouTube viewers watched the moment again and again. His explanation? According to news reports, he meant to say, “Keep plucking that chicken.”
We believe him — and why shouldn’t we? — but … well … his explanation kind of raises another, perhaps even more baffling question: What does “Keep plucking that chicken” mean?
And, thanks to its furious dissemination around the globe, could it or the more raw variation Mr. Anastos seemed to utter become a new New York City catchphrase, on par with “Fuggedaboutit” or Ed Koch’s “How’m I doin’?”
We set out to answer these questions.
First, the possible meaning. The four-word phrase suggests continuing with a chore that must be completed, even if the rewards are minimal. It suggests determination, willpower, an existential task with an obscure or unknown endpoint, a sense of carrying on despite odds. At the same time, it could also be an invitation to extended revelry. The use of the word “keep” implies that the task that must be completed, whatever it is, has already been started. Some possible examples:
A businessman sits at his desk at 7 p.m. contemplating the 12-inch-high pile of paperwork that must be finished by morning. He knows he’ll never make it home by dinner. He calls his wife and tells her: “I’m staying late.” She replies encouragingly, “Keep plucking that chicken.”
A group of dot-comers are at the Magician on Rivington Street at 3 a.m. Some are ready to head home after a night of drinking. But others want to continue. “One more round,” someone says, “Keep plucking that chicken!” They keep drinking.
The conductor of a southbound No. 4 train alerts his passengers that, because of a sick passenger on the train ahead, they’ll be stuck in the tunnel north of Union Square. “We’ll just keep plucking that chicken,” he tells them. Everyone waits.
source The New York Times
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