English Explanatory Dictionary

kitbag question

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A question which causes a disadvantage to the asker simply by virtue of being asked.

Pronunciation

/ˈkɪtbæɡ ˈkwɛstʃən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-kitbag question.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-kitbag question.wav

Word forms

kitbag question kitbag questions

Etymology

Calque of Hebrew שְׁאֵלַת קִיטְבֶּג (she'elat kitbeg). An apocryphal tale of the term's origin involves a squad of soldiers in the Israeli Army: A commander tells the soldiers, "We're going on a 5 mile run". And some dip asks, "Do we have to bring our kitbags?" At which point, the answer is yes. It wouldn't have been if the soldier hadn't asked the question. The story is retold with some variation, but always involving a commander telling a subordinate soldier to run with his kitbag.

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