"In 2001, New York Times columnist William Safire wrote Thompson to ask what he had meant when he said 'the ox is in the ditch' when it comes to postal reform. 'Once again, you remind me that the rest of the country doesn't necessarily use the same phrases as a country boy from Tennessee,' Thompson replied, confessing he'd actually never seen an ox in a ditch--or frankly, an ox. 'As usual, I have no idea where this comes from. All I know is that when the ox is in the ditch, it is a very serious matter--very serious. A big ox, a small ditch, a big load and a hot day--well, you can see the problem.'"

LINK: http://www.talk.newsweek.com/politics/default.asp?item=629200