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#1 2006-08-22 09:51:41

jorkel
Eggcornista
Registered: 2006-08-08
Posts: 1456

"in fine FIDDLE" (fettle)

Google hits on Aug 22, 2006
797 “in fine FIDDLE” (some usages not applicable)
101,000 “in fine fettle”
Analysis by Joe Krozel

“Fettle” means “a state of physical fitness” or “a state of mind.” When one says the phrase “in fine FIDDLE,” one is using an eggcorn which conjures up the image of a fiddle brought into a finely tuned state.

Examples:
CNN.com – Transcripts… Mr. Cheney will come out of these tests and if necessary, a procedure on Saturday, in fine fiddle and expects him to be back to work on Monday – Lou. ...
transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0106/29/lt.12.html – 27k – Cached – Similar pages

The Adirondack Harper: Event Info… feathered and finned friends at the SPCA in fine fiddle and ready to go to good homes. Please check back here shortly for contact and reservations info. ...
www.adkharper.com/EventInfo/EventInfo.html – 34k – Cached – Similar pages

The Mountaineer – February, 2002Hope this finds everyone in fine fiddle. We would like to see all of you at our next reunion in Corpus Christi, Texas. So please take care of yourselves and …
www.usswestvirginia.org/reunion/feb02/page1.htm – 4k – Cached – Similar pages

On The Road With eClub OneThe meal and wine were good and we walked back to our hotel in fine fiddle. The next day saw us trace the steps of the landings on D-Day, and here are our …
www.rotaryeclubone.org/programs/On%20Th … pter69.htm – 11k – Cached – Similar pages

Last edited by jorkel (2006-08-22 21:14:13)

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#2 2006-08-22 09:59:57

Ben Zimmer
Member
Registered: 2005-10-14
Posts: 15
Website

Re: "in fine FIDDLE" (fettle)

Looks like an idiom blend, combining “in fine fettle” with “fit as a fiddle”.

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#3 2006-09-19 11:56:31

jorkel
Eggcornista
Registered: 2006-08-08
Posts: 1456

Re: "in fine FIDDLE" (fettle)

Yes, another idiom blend. See articles in the Eggcornology section.

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#4 2011-11-04 15:57:30

burred
Eggcornista
From: Montreal
Registered: 2008-03-17
Posts: 1112

Re: "in fine FIDDLE" (fettle)

Mettle is constitution, guts, sinew, metal. Dental care that keeps your teeth in fine mettle is called orthodontics.

Unlike traditional dental care that focuses on keeping the teeth and gums in fine mettle, cosmetic dentistry concentrates on improving appearance.
http://drkezian.posterous.com/now-get-t … reamt-of-w

despite the judiciary’s teething problems, it’s in fine mettle now.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201109070277.html

It’s a near-orgy, minus sex. But wait a moment. Special Forces Captain Gates (George Clooney, in fine mettle) is in a tent, vigorously copulating with the female assistant
http://www.imdb.com/reviews/210/21009.html

The next one is hard to explain. Arresting, though.

my gentlemens equipment is in fine fetal!…. Slight numbness in bits of hands and fingers but no pain any more…
Cycling diary

Federer in fine fetal today, looked awesome v Soderling;
http://forums.liverpoolfc.tv/showthread.php?p=4585392

Saw The Fall in Oxford a few weeks back and Mark was in fine fetal. Good Jesus let this rumour be true.
http://www.morrissey-solo.com/threads/1 … Mark-E.!!!

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