Wriggling and squeezing

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Marius Hancu - 15 Jul 2009 11:18 GMT

Hello:

I'm not sure why I expected "squeezing _herself_" here:

----
Lady McReith went off into such peals of laughter at this, wriggling
and squeezing, that Babs, freeing herself, turned and shook her until
she lay quiet, still laughing [...]

Anthony Powell, A Dance to the Music of Time: Spring, p. 67
----

--
Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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the Omrud - 15 Jul 2009 11:34 GMT

> Hello:
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Anthony Powell, A Dance to the Music of Time: Spring, p. 67
> ----

It is very odd as it is, and why should she be squeezing herself? Is it
a misprint for "squealing"?

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David

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CDB - 15 Jul 2009 12:59 GMT

> I'm not sure why I expected "squeezing _herself_" here:

> ----
> Lady McReith went off into such peals of laughter at this, wriggling
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Anthony Powell, A Dance to the Music of Time: Spring, p. 67
> ----

I don't have the text to consult, but it looks possible, on the basis
of the passage quoted, that she was squeezing Babs.

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Marius Hancu - 15 Jul 2009 13:16 GMT

> > I'm not sure why I expected "squeezing _herself_" here:
> > ----
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> I don't have the text to consult, but it looks possible, on the basis
> of the passage quoted, that she was squeezing Babs.

Great obs. Just several sentences ahead of that:

"and a second later put her arm round Bab's neck."

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Skitt - 15 Jul 2009 18:33 GMT

>> I'm not sure why I expected "squeezing _herself_" here:
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> I don't have the text to consult, but it looks possible, on the basis
> of the passage quoted, that she was squeezing Babs.

That's what I inferred.

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Skitt (AmE)

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / July 2009

Wriggling and squeezing