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veteran
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veteran
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One of my old friends had one which my wife and I have adopted. Speaking of someone who talks big, we would say, "if B...s..t was music, he'd be a brass band."
Then there is the judgment that something is as useful as tits on a boar hog. (For the animal lovers.)
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
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No idea of the origin but to be "sent to Coventry" means no one speaks to you or acknowleges your presence. It's my understanding that it is common in English public (US private) schools. The practice was indulged in  in school I attended but teachers put immediate stop to it saying it was too cruel for the minor social offenses perpetrated by grammar school children. Here are common bits of animal-based slang off the top of my head: scarce as hen's teeth; sick as a dog; raining cats and dogs; lower than a snake's belly; horny as a two-peckered billy goat.  A bit scatalogical but succinct. Sorry if anyone finds it offensive. It is a very old saying. WOW
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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How about "a day late and a dollar short"? Where on earth did that arise?
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 197
member
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member
Joined: Oct 2000
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>>> "a day late and a dollar short"<<<
too little too late
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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here's a whole site full of phrases -- I can't speak to the veracity of the listed origins... http://www.shu.ac.uk/web-admin/phrases/list/
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member
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member
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Posts: 56
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Sep 2000
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"I don't want to be speaking all in bland, neutral beige!"
Onya sista, i couln't agree more. Sure, correct spellun an gramar has it's place, but lets face it, it's the use of expressions, slang and colloquialisms that help provide a richness and texture to our daily communications. I'm sick to death of spending my days writing succint technical reports, give me a little breathing space and let me go with the flow here. At the risk of being howled down i'll give you my 2 cents worth. The ants pants and the ducks nuts are both perfectly splendid examples of... ummm... gee i'm not really sure, but they sound nice.
tongue in cheek, now that's another that comes to mind.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11 |
Here are some expressions my mom used to use: #1)"My God all hemisphere!!" (Don't know if anyone else ever said that!) #2) "I wouldn't say 'Boo' to him." (Meaning she was slighting someone.) #3) "You kids would make a preacher swear!" (Voicing exasperation.) #4) "He's carrying on to beat the band." (He's upset, and making an excessive fuss.) #5) "She talks to hear her head rattle." (Said of someone given to mindless prattle.) #6) "She would cut off her nose to spite her face." (Said of a spiteful person.) #7) "He thinks the sun rises and sets in her." (Devoted to his beloved.) And, the way my dad described me as a kid who was crazy over horses -- #8) "She eats, sleeps, and breathes horses!"
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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ShyHeart, your #7 reminds my of something my Southern grandma used to say: "He thinks she hung the moon."
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Here's one I recall my father's using although if it was original to him or not I know not. In regard to a person with lots to say without much thought behind the words : "He suffers from a constipation of the mind and a diarrhea of the mouth." Anyone else heard that? Or similar? I know I keep asking stupid questions  but on the upside I believe you're never too old to learn especially when you are lucky enough to run with erudite company. WOW
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