ISMISM; No.20:Nononoism

New concepts for the Nineties

No, no, no (present tense). Expression conveying political incontinence. An inability to admit to the tiniest fraction of a scintilla of a possibility that someone else might be right; allied to a theatrical tendency for over-expression. Deriv. Mrs Thatcher's 1990 reply to questions on Europe in the House of Commons.

(past tense) A nostalgia for past events or situations the unpleasantness of which you have forgotten. As in "Wasn't it wonderful to see old Maggie on Frost the other day. At least she was a real leader", or "Of course we were poor - my mum drank, my dad was violent and I went on the game at eight, but we had great times!"

(opposite) Yes, Yes (not to be confused with Yes, yes, yes - see below). As in "I said No, no, no, but he says Yes, yes." The suggestion here is that the opposite - occurring only twice - is not only wrong, but also lacks the moral force and the virility of the original.

Out, out, out (imp.). Exclamation in common use at the time of ``No, no no''. A feeble expression of disapproval of a particular individual (cf. "Maggie, Maggie, Maggie, out, out, out"). Not under any circumstances to be confused with "outing" (as in "Bishop, bishop, bishop, out, out, out").

Tora, tora, tora (exclam. deriv. Japanese). Apology for behaviour yet to come. Shouted by Japanese pilots during the attack on Pearl Harbor (December 1941). Explains Tokyo's puzzlement at being asked to apologise for aggression after the Second World War, since they had already said sorry, sorry, sorry.

Noh, noh, noh (also Japanese). Expression of cultural disappointment at unvarying and tedious diet (as in "Noh, noh, noh - that's all we ever get at this bloody theatre"). See also World Music and feminist poetry.

Go, go, go (vb). Sporting term connoting futile athleticism. Originally coined by Brazilian soccer player, Pele, about England's international team ("They go, go, go. They lose the ball. The ball comes back at them. They go, go, go again. They lose the ball. The ball comes back at them. I don't understand."). Vulg. headless chickens.

Oh, oh, oh (onam.). The sound that men believe accompanies the female orgasm. Also Yes, yes, yes. The two together (oh, oh, oh, yes, yes, yes) represents a multiple climax. Used by Meg Ryan in famous Eighties film, When Harry Met Sally. This usage was implied when Lisa-Marie Presley-Jackson replied "Yes, yes, yes" when asked if she sleeps with her husband, Michael Jackson.

Ho, ho, ho (onam.). Sound that accompanies Father Christmas's orgasms.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. What is all right for Santa is definitely not all right for the reindeer.