The meaning of a phrase

Posted by Henry on September 10, 2003

In Reply to: The meaning of a phrase posted by Lorette Blogg on September 10, 2003

: Hi, I am actually looking for two things:
: 1. what does Whistlin' Dixie mean? and
: 2. Please fill in if you could: "It is not the ???, it's the thrill of the chase"
: Thanks,
: Lorette

From
From this origin, the general idiomatic meaning, confirmed by the Random House dictionary, is derived: "to engage in unrealistic fantasies; waste one's time", probably based on the idea of Southerners marching and whistling dixie in the hope to win their battle to keep the South
independent when the cause was lost already, hence also the more general figurative meaning "to make meaningless claims, preach hollow wisdom, to be hopelessly optimistic or sadly self-deluded."

It's not the kill, it's the thrill of the chase. Said in defence of hunting.

• The meaning of a phrase ESC 10/September/03