Times 24,258

[Timessolver]

6d European politician has links with dead men (7) Emp + ties. I can see that it is 'empties' and I've heard the barman ask if these bottles (the empties) are 'dead' - but 'dead men'? Has anyone heard of it?

[grasscarp]

Dead men, or dead soldiers,
are empties, usually adorning the floor under a festive table.

[wallacia]

empties is right,i am a barman and often heard the expression dead men as in empty bottles.

[dr b]

The entry at the "times for the times" blog:

http://community.livejournal.com/times_xwd_tim es

explains it thus:

E(uropean) + MP + TIES for EMPTIES, being empty alcoholic beverage bottles, called "dead men", "dead soldiers" or "dead marines" colloquially, possibly because their spirits had left them. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

[Timessolver]

Thanks guys. I see I should get out more. . .

[Timessolver]

grasscarp, wallacia and dr b, I am trying to award you each 3 stars for your answers, but they don't seem to 'take', But I really want you to have them . . .

[grasscarp]

Its ok Timessolver. At least you said thank you, which some posters dont do.

[wallacia]

agree.

[dr b]

um, yeah, me too. (but I really wanted stars.......slinks off dejectedly)

[grasscarp]

ha ha Dr B

[Timessolver]

See the 3 stars Dr B? I sussed it I think. It depends on pressing 'submit' after selecting how many stars . . .

[grasscarp]

Satisfied dr b? Your tantrum worked!