Big deal

Posted by ESC on March 03, 2000

In Reply to: Phrase meaning and origin posted by Julia on March 03, 2000

: Is the phrase "what's the big hairy deal" a profane phrase? What is its origin?

I think this is called a sandwich phrase, where "extra" words for emphasis are sandwiched in between. Big deal. Big hairy deal. Big fat hairy deal. And, no, I don't think it's obscene. If I find anything more definite, I'll post it.