a little from column A, a little from column B

Typical "American Chinese" restaurant menus of the mid-twentieth century presented food selections for combination entrees in a table with columns labeled "A" and "B". The customer was then advised, for example, to "Choose one from Column A and one from Column B."

• "Clinton would take a little from column A, a little from column B, depending on the day, his mood, and whom he had talked to last."
• "Which is how I thought I knew it was going to be either really boring, or about my family, or a little from column A, a little from column B."

• a little from column A and a little from column B
• one from column A, one from column B

• Chinese menu