made-up, turn-out, turn-in riders

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LearningCat - 13 Nov 2006 07:22 GMT

I'm reading "Devil wears prada" and there's this line.

--
I had no idea that the city's most well-connected gossip columnists and
socialites and media executives obsessed over the flawlessly made-up,
turn-out, turn-in riders of those sleek and quiet lifts.
--

What does "made-up", "turn-out", "turn-in" in above line mean?

Thanks.

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Peter Tan - 13 Nov 2006 09:11 GMT

> I had no idea that the city's most well-connected gossip columnists and
> socialites and media executives obsessed over the flawlessly made-up,
> turn-out, turn-in riders of those sleek and quiet lifts.
> --
>
> What does "made-up", "turn-out", "turn-in" in above line mean?

The riders are people who have flawless make-up (cosmetics). I don't
know the rest of the context - do they just turn in and out of the
lifts?

Peter

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Donna Richoux - 13 Nov 2006 12:12 GMT

> > I had no idea that the city's most well-connected gossip columnists and
> > socialites and media executives obsessed over the flawlessly made-up,
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> know the rest of the context - do they just turn in and out of the
> lifts?

To be flawlessly turned-out -- I'm sure the transcriber left out the
"ed" -- means to be flawlessly dressed, with the idea of being
fashionable and having everything well-coordinated.

"Turn-in" doesn't make any sense to me there. "Tuned in"? Attuned to the
fashions of the times?

Aha, this is discussed by translators here:
http://www.proz.com/kudoz/1499232

And someone suggests:

TURN IN
- turn in upon oneself : to be or become absorbed in one's own thoughts
and feelings : INTROVERT <are Americans turning in upon themselves ...
allowing an almost neurotic concern with internal subversion to do duty
for a genuine policy -- Barbara Ward>

That fits. (I saw the movie.)

Signature

Best -- Donna Richoux

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Peter Duncanson - 13 Nov 2006 14:45 GMT

>> > I had no idea that the city's most well-connected gossip columnists and
>> > socialites and media executives obsessed over the flawlessly made-up,
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>"Turn-in" doesn't make any sense to me there. "Tuned in"? Attuned to the
>fashions of the times?

It is possible that "turn-in" and "turn-out" refer to the way people
stand in a lift (elevator). "Turn-in" to face other people,
"turn-out" to face away from others.

Signature

Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

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Donna Richoux - 13 Nov 2006 16:06 GMT

> >> > I had no idea that the city's most well-connected gossip columnists and
> >> > socialites and media executives obsessed over the flawlessly made-up,
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> stand in a lift (elevator). "Turn-in" to face other people,
> "turn-out" to face away from others.

However, there was no reason why the reference should be to the way
people arrange themselves inside an elevator. It was talking about the
glamor and superficiality of the fashion industry. "Self-absorbed" is
perfect.

Signature

Best -- Donna Richoux

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2006

made-up, turn-out, turn-in riders