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Idioms Cliches Colloquialisms Etc...

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kwbMitel

kwbMitel

Technical User
Oct 11, 2005
11,504
CA
There have been a number of threads recently where some idioms have been used where the meaning was lost for some readers. I wish I could remember the most recent one that was a great example but alas, it is not to be. (Something about a gentleman riding a trolley? - UK origin)

My father was a significant user of many sayings. Most confuse me to this day (He is a Newfoundlander with all that that entails)

One of his more colorful expressions was regarding the consumption of spicy food. He would say "Boy, That'll sure cauterise the hemorrhoids" This example does not require any interpretation, context or cultural exposure. I've found myself to be quite entertained by some of the colloquialisms that are out there that have meaning withing a select group of people but none outside of it.

I am reminded of an episode of Star Trek TNG where an alien species can only communicate via metaphor.

I'm sure we've all got some good ones.

Lets hear them, and give us the meaning if necessary and where it might be used.

I expect that quite a few of these might come from Australia but that may just be a bias on my part.

**********************************************
What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.
 
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got ya, I always read it as not being able to have everything, you can have your cake but you cannot eat it!

Hence my assumption, in that case there is no point therefore in having the cake.

As long as I can eat the cake, it's all good!

I will always accept the consequences ;-)

"In complete darkness we are all the same, only our knowledge and wisdom separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you."

"If a shortcut was meant to be easy, it wouldn't be a shortcut, it would be the way!"

MIME::Lite TLS Email Encryption - Perl v0.02 beta
 
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All I can say is I've never been able to eat my cake without having it first. ;-)


James P. Cottingham
[sup]I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229![/sup]
 
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Our tour bus driver at a recent trip to Ireland described a group of road workers with their shovel handles resting on their chests as slackers, by saying:

"look at those lazy bums breast feeding their shovels"

sam
 
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Another northern expression describing hunger -

"My stomach thinks my throat's been cut"

Tony
 
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I've always wondered what 'done up like a kipper' actually means?

I know it stands for being screwed! No room to manoeuvre out of a situation.

But what do kippers have to do with it? I assume it means the fish and not the tie?

"In complete darkness we are all the same, only our knowledge and wisdom separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you."

"If a shortcut was meant to be easy, it wouldn't be a shortcut, it would be the way!"

MIME::Lite TLS Email Encryption - Perl v0.02 beta
 
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Ah kippers yes, I'm so hungry my bellybutton's scraping my backbone!

sam
 
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1DMF re:Kippers.

Kippers are quite often used as bait.

**********************************************
What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.
 
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kwbMitel
I didn't know that kippers were used as bait. Bait for what?

It is time for pacifists to stand up and fight for their beliefs.
 
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Taxi for N1GHTEYES!

It is time for pacifists to stand up and fight for their beliefs.
 
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That tidbit (Kippers) was courtesy of my dad who grew up in a fishing community. I have no idea what they were bait for. Only that they were and that the context makes sense for the saying.

**********************************************
What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.
 
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IDMF said:
No room to manoeuvre out of a situation.
Click to expand...
That, IDMF, is the point of the metaphor...If you go down to your local supermarket, you will find kippers packed in a metal tin/can like sardines. They are tightly packed together with only fish oil taking up any additional space. (BTW, they are one of my favourite sandwich treats. So, like N1GHTEYES, kippers, used as bait, would catch me, as well.)

[santa]Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
“People may forget what you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
 
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Really? Nowadays they tend to be sold "as is" from the fish counter, or vacuum packed in a plastic pouch - usually one or two per packet. In fact I don't think I can remember kippers ever being sold in tins. Sardines, yes, pilchards too, not to mention salmon, tuna and anchovies. But kippers? I don't think so. Not here anyway.

Or maybe I just never noticed. Anyone want to correct me?

Tony
 
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Try this very first link that popped up when I Googled for kippers. They are in a tin, and the price is not bad either: $2.71/can (when you buy 6 tins). I also like sprats which are similar to kippers. I buy them at my local Russian Market for about $1.49 / can.

I'm puzzled by your not being able to buy kippers in a tin...that's how I always bought them in the UK after I got hooked on them as a child in my English grandparents' home.

[santa]Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
“People may forget what you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
 
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Fair enough. I don't think I've seen them like that round here recently though.

I did also ask around the office if anyone could recall them being sold in tins. Nobody could.

When did you become a tinned kipper junkie?

Tony

p.s. is that what they mean by junk food?
 
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N1GHTEYES said:
When did you become a tinned kipper junkie?
Click to expand...
When I was about 8 years old (in 1960), when my grandpa offered me some on a cracker.

[santa]Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
“People may forget what you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
 
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That might explain it then. I was around in 1960, but I can't honestly say I remember much about it.

Tony
 
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Tinned kippers are a poor substitute for the real thing. Grilled (broiled to the yanquis) and served with butter and vinegar. <drool>

It is time for pacifists to stand up and fight for their beliefs.
 
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I've never heard of tinned kippers either?

Not that into fish anyway, with the exception of tuna sandwiches - yum yum!

I have another saying, I'm curious to what people thing it means...

The devil's in the detail
Click to expand...

Does that mean you shouldn't go into detail about anything?

Treat everything as abstract and conceptual?

"In complete darkness we are all the same, only our knowledge and wisdom separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you."

"If a shortcut was meant to be easy, it wouldn't be a shortcut, it would be the way!"

MIME::Lite TLS Email Encryption - Perl v0.02 beta
 
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