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all idiomatic expressions are unintelligible when they are read literally
That's a better definition than the one at Dictionary.com, bushmillsneat.
Dictionary.com - idiom
A speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements, as in keep tabs on.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Dave sez: almost all idiomatic expressions are unintelligible when they are read literally.
This is seemingly true beyond the English language, as well.
In Brazil, when two adult males meet, one may ask the other: "O que � que h� com seu peru?" This question is literally about the other fellow's turkey. It is colloquially about one part of the other fellow's anatomy. Its conversational meaning is "How are you?" Neither the literal nor the colloquial meaning get one all the way to understanding the expression.
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Carpal Tunnel
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formerly known as etaoin...
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Faldage asks: How they hangin', Pops?
Quite precisely.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Just got to this thread- wonderful! I read Jackie's post :
Bel, I love it! "pare-brise" = to pare (cut) the breeze...
I've got a new expression out of it, having to do with the dog's making noxious odors.
(Ducking behind a big stone for cover.)
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