"this is the kicker"

Posted by ESC on April 01, 2004

In Reply to: "This is the kicker" posted by steady on April 01, 2004

: : : : Why do people say "and this is the kicker", prior
: : : : to a point they want to emphasize?

: : : Well, being kicked gets people's attention.

: : That's true. But it still seems strange to me.

: : The only other thing I've found searching around
: : on the web is that a "kicker" is a side card in
: : poker that is the tie-breaker in hands with the
: : same rank.

: I found another reference, but it doesn't talk
: about why:

: www.bartleby.com/ 61/42/K0054200.html

: "A tricky or concealed condition; a pitfall: 'The kicker is that the relationship of guide and seeker gets all mixed up with a confusing male-female attachment' (Gail Sheehy)"

We've got some card sharks on this site. They can probably come up with a good explanation. Stay tuned.

• "This is the kicker" Henry 01/April/04
  • "This is the kicker" ESC 01/April/04