what does this phrase mean?

riamu · 19 Nov 2011 at 22:04

i am currently reading an agatha christie novel called "one two buckle my shoe" and i don't understand the term 'rare taking' which is used more than once as follows:

"she was in a rare taking to find me here"

i can't find its meaning in the dictionary or internet. any ideas. It was used a second time like this:

"he was waiting downstairs and in a rare taking to see me"

thanks.

TaKeN · 19 Nov 2011 at 22:06

I've always thought of it as, Fortunate or Lucky to come across.

dirtychinchilla · 19 Nov 2011 at 22:06

Mood, I expect.

rz30 · 19 Nov 2011 at 22:12

Just means fortunate. It could also mean, mood as said, combo.

riamu · 19 Nov 2011 at 22:45

all these answers are wrong

Tefal · 19 Nov 2011 at 22:48

how about a bit more context?

from the first one I'd say it was something out of character for the person, ie it was unusual whoever "she" is to have come to the place where the "me" is to find her.

similar to a rare fancy or a queer mood.

riamu · 19 Nov 2011 at 22:52

Tefal my old mucker i think you have cracked it

doofer · 19 Nov 2011 at 22:55

Unusual keenness.

riamu · 19 Nov 2011 at 23:07

why can't i find the answer in a dictionary or on the internet?

JayMax · 20 Nov 2011 at 00:03

Sounds sexual to me, does it mean randy?

riamu · 20 Nov 2011 at 00:30

agatha christie doesnt make sexual references as far as i can see. poirot is a confirmed bachelor

Angilion · 20 Nov 2011 at 00:32

I think that "in a rare taking" means "extremely agitated". "rare" would be for emphasis in this context, so the key phrase would be "in a taking". I've looked at the story and "agitated" fits the contexts.

There's a bit of supporting evidence in this definition online:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/taking

The relevant bit is in the translations section:

(old: = distress) → Aufregung f, → Erregung f; to be in a taking → aufgeregt or erregt sein
adj manners, ways → einnehmend, gewinnend; person → sympathisch, anziehend

riamu · 20 Nov 2011 at 03:54

yes u are right angilion, ur suggestion does make sense in the context in which it is found in the novel. well done me old mucker, you have succeded where other minds have faltered. now be a good chap and tell me what the longest word in the dictionary is......

Castiel · 20 Nov 2011 at 08:12

It means surprise, it can be either Positive or Negative depending on the context of the phraseology.