Indefinite reference also carries double meaning where an allusion to one person or thing seems to refer to another. A news item described the launching of a ship: ``Completing the ceremony, the beautiful movie star smashed a bottle of champagne over her stern as she slid gracefully down the ways into the sea.''

This is not unlike the order received by the sergeant of an army motor pool: ``Four trucks to Fort Mason gym, 7: 30 tonight, for hauling girls to dance. The bodies must be cleaned and seats wiped off.''

A politician was approached by a man seeking the office of a minor public official who had just died. ``What are my chances for taking Joe's place?'' he asked. ``If you can fix it up with the undertaker,'' returned the politician, ``it's all right with me.''

The manager of a movie theater received a telephone call from a woman who was equally indefinite. ``What have you got on today?'' she inquired. ``A blue suit,'' he answered. ``Who's in it?'' she continued. ``I am,'' he said. There was a short pause for reflection. ``Oh,'' said the woman, ``I've seen that picture already.''

Another brand of indefinite reference arises out of the use of the double verb. When a question contains two verbs, the response does not make clear which of them is being answered.

The moonlit night was made for romance, and he had been looking at her soulfully for some time. Finally he asked, ``Do you object to petting?'' ``That's one thing I've never done,'' she said promptly. He thought a moment, then inquired, ``You mean petted?'' ``No,'' she smiled, ``objected.''