|
Reader question: In the following passage, “nonnative New Yorkers weren’t buying that particular bridge Monday”, what does that mean? A recent Sanitation Department report gave the city’s streets a 95% cleanliness rating, up from 70% in the 1970s. But nonnative New Yorkers weren’t buying that particular bridge Monday. My comments: What bridge, you ask, and rightfully so. First, definitions. In our example, that “nonnative New Yorkers weren’t buying that particular bridge Monday” means they don’t buy the notion that New York city’s streets are worthy of a 95% cleanliness rating. In other words, people who are interviewed Monday say they think the dumpy Big Apple is much dirtier. Anyways, what is “that particular bridge” about? That particular bridge refers to the Brooklyn Bridge, the big suspension bridge connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan. Indeed at the time of its completion, in 1883, it was the biggest such bridge in the world, with a main span stretching 486 meters. And the expression “I am not buying that bridge” derives from the exact fact that some locals actually tried to sell the Brooklyn Bridge to gullible tourists. One of these people is George C. Parker (1870–1936). This, for instance, from (BlogTyrant.com): George C. Parker was the greatest con man in American history managing to sell landmark items like Madison Square Gardens, the Statue of Liberty and, you guessed it, the Brooklyn Bridge. | 
