STAN FREBERG HERE...Language Update: "Passing the Bar" Stan Freberg here with another language update. When somebody says "Well, he passed the bar," what exactly does that mean? Be right back. [:60 SPOT BREAK] Freberg here. If someone "passes the bar," you say it only means he or she can now call themselves a lawyer. Oh, yeah? What if the person in question is an alcoholic, and was seen to walk on by a bar? "Whew, that's a relief! He passed the bar and kept on walking!" The word "bar" comes from the long brass bar you put your foot on in a saloon. On the other hand, a student of dance needs to exercise by stretching their leg up on the long bar in the mirrored dance studio. They'd better not pass the bar.
Or suppose a girl wants a bite of her boyfriend's candy bar: "Umm, can you pass the bar?" If he's also a lawyer, he'll say, "That's redundant--I already passed the bar!" Ah, you English language, we'll whip you yet! Stan Freberg here. Copyright (C)1997, Stan Freberg/Freberg, Ltd. (but not very) Distributed by Dick Brescia Associates and Radio Spirits, Inc.