in twain

[DaSwede]

I'm confused about the expression 'in twain'. I always thought it meant 'asunder', in two pieces. But recently I've read it in context several times where the writer seems to mean something like 'as a pair', 'together', 'in agreement with each other.'

If you read a sentence like 'The president and his vice are in twain' (and no contextual clues), how would you spontaneously interpret that? From a purely linguistical point of view; nevermind the politics.

Please allow me to say thankyou now, I'm having great problems signing in. (It's like winning the lottery when I do.)

[shaneystar2]

Twain is an archaic term for two.As in Rudyard Kiplings ... East is east, and west is west, and never the twain shall meet�.
In twain ..means asunder or for example.. split in twain..split in two. I have never heard that being in twain means to be in agreement .In tune..perhaps.
Where is QM?
He will no doubt explain better than I can!!

[Quizmonster]

I am - as ever - with you on this one, Shaney. I've never seen the usage described by DaSwede above. Separation rather than togetherness is invariably the correct idea, so - whoever these writers are - they've got it wrong!

[woofgang]

maybe they meant that the president and his vice weren't in agreement?

[DaSwede]

Thanks, all! 'Separation rather than togetherness' is what I was hoping it signalled, that's how I've been using it.

Sorry for the delay in saying thanks, I've tried to sign in about twenty times since I asked the question, but no such luck.