[General] on the nod

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

“What’s inside? The old woolen nightshirt, carpet slippers and a change of socks?” “That’s about it.” “Well, never mind. I expect you’ll get a complete rig-out on the nod to-morrow, or publicity’s not what it was.”

on the nod = on credit; on tick

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V

 

[Rover_KE]

No. 'On the nod' doesn't mean that.

He will get a new outfit free of charge tomorrow from someone seeking publicity.

If a proposal in a formal meeting goes through on the nod, it is passed without discussion or opposition.

Rover

 

[Atchan]

Nod means "a movement up and down with the head".
On the nod means "If a suggestion is approved on the nod, it is accepted without discussion".

 

[vil]

Hi Rover KE,

I agree unreservedly with your second connotation of the idiom of question, namely “ perfunctory formally assent, without discussion” as in:

The agenda, usually of great friction, was accepted “on the nod”.

As for the first connotation, the interpretation in our area of your definition “get a new outfit free of charge” is “ on credit” or “gratis” or even “get some articles of trade (in the present case ‘new outfit’) with credit cards”. I can’t see any difference between your and my interpretation of the idiom “on the nod”.

V.

 

[buggles]

That's not what Rover KE is saying. There's no question of any payment.

The rig out will be provided completely free of charge. It will be paid for by the people getting the publicity. The one receiving the rig out won't pay anything, either now or in the future.

It's like when celebrities get free things just so people can see them wearing them.

 

[vil]

Probably Alberto Tomba got in much the same manner new skis of a famous brand free of charge return for showing them just for show (advertisement) after every successful slalom.


V.