Hiaasen: lit out for New Zealand

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Marius Hancu - 02 Feb 2010 02:38 GMT

Hello:

I wonder what's the exact meaning of "lit out for" here and its
connotations.
Seems to be related to "moved to/left for."

----
Corbett lit out for New Zealand, while Joey headed for Florida.

Carl Hiaasen, Skinny Dip, p. 16
----
--
Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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tony cooper - 02 Feb 2010 03:20 GMT

>Hello:
>
>I wonder what's the exact meaning of "lit out for" here and its
>connotations.
>Seems to be related to "moved to/left for."

It means "left for, and in a hurry". The implication is that Corbett
left in a hurry without any prior announcement or plan. Probably, to
evade something or someone.

>----
>Corbett lit out for New Zealand, while Joey headed for Florida.
>
>Carl Hiaasen, Skinny Dip, p. 16
>----

Signature

Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

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Marius Hancu - 02 Feb 2010 03:31 GMT

> >I wonder what's the exact meaning of "lit out for" here and its
> >connotations.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> >Carl Hiaasen, Skinny Dip, p. 16
> >----

Thanks, that's the exact kind of detail I needed.
Marius Hancu

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Donna Richoux - 02 Feb 2010 14:58 GMT

> > >I wonder what's the exact meaning of "lit out for" here and its
> > >connotations.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> > left in a hurry without any prior announcement or plan. Probably, to
> > evade something or someone.

[snip]

"Light out" and "lit out" are used repeatedly in Huckleberry Finn, from
beginning:

The Widow Douglas she took me for her son, and
allowed she would sivilize me; but it was rough
living in the house all the time, considering how
dismal regular and decent the widow was in all her
ways; and so when I couldn't stand it no longer I lit
out.

to end:

But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory
ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she's going to
adopt me and sivilize me, and I can't stand it.

That made "Lighting out for the Territory/ies" into a somewhat
well-known phrase. It's Huck heading off for the wild blue yonder.

Signature

Best -- Donna Richoux

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Marius Hancu - 02 Feb 2010 16:31 GMT

> > > >I wonder what's the exact meaning of "lit out for" here and its
> > > >connotations.
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> That made "Lighting out for the Territory/ies" into a somewhat
> well-known phrase. It's Huck heading off for the wild blue yonder.

Thank you, Donna. I think I remember it in Mark Twain indeed.

Marius Hancu

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Fred - 02 Feb 2010 06:40 GMT

>>Hello:
>>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>>Carl Hiaasen, Skinny Dip, p. 16
>>----

It does? I'd say it means there's a misprint.

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Peter Duncanson (BrE) - 02 Feb 2010 12:39 GMT

>>>Hello:
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
>It does? I'd say it means there's a misprint.

"To light out" means "To leave hastily; run off".
This AHD entry under phrasal verbs:
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/light_2

"for" introduces the destination.

"Corbett lit out for New Zealand": Corbett left in a hurry heading for
New Zealand

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

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tony cooper - 02 Feb 2010 15:48 GMT

>>>>Hello:
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>"Corbett lit out for New Zealand": Corbett left in a hurry heading for
>New Zealand

I don't understand what misprint you think is there. Your explanation
and mine are the same.

The answer to Marius's question need not include the destination. The
question is about the meaning of "lit out for". The destination is
known.

Signature

Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / February 2010

Hiaasen: lit out for New Zealand