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The meaning of 'option' in 'like hell's own option'

English Language & Usage Asked on May 10, 2021

More from Thomas Harris:

The coffee mugs had the thick rims that dribble down the sides. Starling watched Inelle
Corey walk heavily away like hell’s own option and drank half a cup with her napkin
tucked under her chin.

What does like hell’s own option mean? FWIW, this conversation between Clarice Starling and Inelle Corey has a religious (Christian) undercurrent to it. Also, Starling is a southern gal.

2 Answers

I imagine this is a figurative way of saying Inelle Corey is playing on the Devil's team, or is optioned to do so. In baseball,

If a player is on the 40-man roster but not on the active major league roster, he is said to be on optional assignment—his organization may freely move him between the major league club and the minor league club.

Alternately, it might be a figurative way of saying she is financially associated with Hell; a financial option being

a derivative financial instrument that specifies a contract between two parties for a future transaction on an asset at a reference price (the strike). The buyer of the option gains the right, but not the obligation, to engage in that transaction, while the seller incurs the corresponding obligation to fulfill the transaction.

Early in the conversation which the quoted passage ends, Corey is said to express righteousness or anger; at times she is defensive and doubtful, at others open and helpful. In that context, it seems to me that “walk heavily away like hell's own option” suddenly pops up unmotivated. Perhaps Harris liked the ring of it; I don't know just what he meant, and think the phrase “walk heavily away like hell's own minion” would sound as well and be more clear.

Answered by James Waldby - jwpat7 on May 10, 2021

It's much simpler, guys. Harris means that Corey is a personification of a punishment, apparently a life deprived of style, beauty and joy. And yes, Harris made it up, never heard it before, has a nice ring to it for sure, that's what good writers do.

Answered by Mariah on May 10, 2021

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