|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
Has anyone heard, or does anyone use, this expression, or a variation thereof? What does it mean? I understand it's used in a popular reggae song, but I'm looking for earlier citations or more widespread usage.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Here's what Google brings up--the sixth one mentions "classic": web page
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456 |
Partly from inference and in this context in a UC Berkeley News article, it appears to mean providing, perhaps unwittingly, for something ruthless or contemptible (not that snakes are).
"Our jobs (teaching journalism) seem to be to fatten frogs for the snakes," says Drummond, noting the young reporters being hired just out of school by "multi-national, money-making machines."
ÅΓª╥┐↕§
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456 |
Another example that comes to mind especially of late is paying for the UN.  That could fit what the phrase seems to mean.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
|
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773 |
~ v. [1950's] to prepare a victim (including oneself) for exploitation by a criminal or trickster-- Casdsell's Dict of Slang
It's a genuine neologism and for one, I'd appreciate any variations on this def--Thanks guys
dalehileman
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,027
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,027 |
Another example that comes to mind especially of late is paying for the UN. Could you please explain that a little more to me. I can't see the analogy/similarity with the journalists' school example, which makes eminent sense to me.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456 |
It does not fit the mould neatly but the idea is of providing a forum [within one's own borders, no less] for tirades from certain tin-plated dictators (these would be the fork-tongued serpents in this case). The sentiment is one of "This is not what we had in mind. Let's feed some NATO frogs instead." 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529 |
Quote:
Has anyone heard, or does anyone use, this expression, or a variation thereof? What does it mean? I understand it's used in a popular reggae song, but I'm looking for earlier citations or more widespread usage.
The phrase "fattening frogs for snakes" was endemic to the southern Culture of my childhood. My friend "Sonny Boy" Williamson gave the folk saying wider currency with his recording of the same name in 1957. The lyrics explain the meaning...
I found out my downfall in nineteen and thirty eight
Yeah man,
I found out my downfall back in nineteen thirty eight
(I started checking)
I'm telling all my friends I not fattenin' no more frogs for snakes.
Yes, here it is nineteen and fifty-seven and I got to correct all my mistakes
Yeah man, nineteen fifty seven and I gotta correct all of my mistakes
I'm telling all my friends including my wife I not fattenin' no more frogs for snakes.
In other words, keeping up a woman, for other men to use sexually.
I sang this song while Sonny Boy played his harmonica as we rode to a liquor store in the back seat of a '48 Dodge in 1957. Sonny Boy (what a guy) would phone me whenever he visited Birmingham.
Beautiful memories.
"Deadly" Snakes might be the name of a group that later recorded this "Sonny Boy" song.
Last edited by themilum; 09/30/06 12:23 AM.
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,317
Members9,182
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
583
guests, and
1
robot. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
