beck and call » beckoned call

Classification: English – and «» in/en – idiom-related

Spotted in the wild:

  • If you are like most people, and have an answering machine or service through your telephone provider, the caller will leave a message and you can answer and return the calls on YOUR schedule. It is OK not to be at everyone’s beckoned call 24 hours a day. (link)
  • Every Jewish Wedding requires the participation of a Jewish Rabbi. In the process of the wedding planning, a Rabbi is not always immediately at your beckoned call. (link)
  • The Federal Cavalry in 1863 had been converted into a well organized and formidable fighting force. The days of federal scouting and outpost duty had come to an end. With renewed confidence, the federal horse soldier was able to remain in the saddle pressing forward at the army’s beckoned call. (link)

Analyzed or reported by:

If you open yourself up to the possibility of being called — by telephone, for example — then the call will be a beckoned call.

See also beckon call and beacon call.

| link | entered by Chris Waigl, 2005/02/12 |

Commentaries

  1. 1

    Commentary by Tom Rossen , 2005/08/26 at 5:10 am

    Another sighting: Bill was in his usual form last night as he tried to berate publisher Joe McQuaid of the NH Union Leader for not appearing at Bill’s beckoned call. Joe would have none of it and told Bill to stop yelling.

    — Crooks and Liars

    By the way - Enid, if you’re out there - get in touch. You may not remember this, but back around ‘85 I worked with you briefly on a plan to “automate” a Random House dictionary - which beast I gather (after googling your name) is now extinct.

  2. 2

    Commentary by John Harrington , 2006/04/09 at 9:23 pm

    This eggcorn was featured on the public radio program “A Way with Words” when a caller complained of people who say “beck and call” instead of the proper (or what he considered proper) “beckoned call”. He would brook no contradiction from the hosts. ;-)

  3. 3

    Commentary by Enid Pearsons , 2006/06/06 at 9:53 pm

    Tom! Almost a year later, and I just found your…”beckond” call! Do e-mail me. I would love to hear from you…if you get to read this.
    Enid

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