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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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The OED reference to the phrase right as rain to being now chiefly Australian and New Zealand colloquial would explain why my relatives in those countries use the phrase so liberally.
Harumph!I think the OED may be nursing a grudge against the former "colonies" especially us rabble rousers here in New England!
"Right as rain" is often heard here. I don't know about teenagers but heard it from a 30-something not long ago.
Mumble mumble mumble
wow
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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just a note, folks: it's Michael Quinion (not Quinlon).
also note that the OED has two senses for the phrase, and only the one sense is listed as Oz/N.Z. colloquial; that is, the "proper state" usage is more widespread than the "good health" usage (as I read it).
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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You hear "right as rain" all the time in Zild. But I've heard it on British TV shows, and no doubt when I've been in Britain, and stressing the Australasian connection would seem to be over the top. Certainly I've read "right as a trivet" and "right as ninepence", but almost exclusively in older English books or in historical novels. [single raised eyebrow emoticon].
The idiot also known as Capfka ...
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member
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I like the idea of "right as rain" meaning something true or plumb. Rain being something that falls in a straight line from our earthbound perspective. Maybe from "wright" as in shipwright or wheelwright, one who constructs or repairs things, one who works with precise measurements.
Right as a trivet? Something sound or stable? I believe most early trivets were set on three legs, like a milking stool, as an object supported by three points can't wobble.
Right as ninepence? Something unchangeable or secure. Ninepence is ninepence.
Just some thoughts.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Only Doug says: Rain being something that falls in a straight line...
Overheard during a news broadcast about a hurricane in Florida: The rain is coming down horizontally
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member
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Re: Rain being something that falls in a straight line...
Doesn't need to be a straight vertical line neccessarily.
Rain coming down horizontally? That's skewed!
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old hand
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old hand
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Interesting to note the varying responses to this one. For me also, Michael Quinion's entry did not provide an answer - just left me wondering whether the lineal connotations of "right" are a false trail.
I agree with the responses from my Antipodean brethren that it seems to be something we can lay claim to - the breaking of a drought - what could be more right! This seems supported by the OED's "14b" definition - that the phrase is now mainly in common use in Oz & Zild.
It was also interesting to note the date of the phrase was first documented (according to Quinion) - the late 19th century. Much earlier and I'd have had doubts, but this timing perhaps reflects Oz language and culture ("kulcha") reaching critical mass??
Has anyone considered the homophonic nature of the word "rain" in this context? What about, "It's as right as a rein on a horse" - subsequently shortened???
Or is this just a furphy??
stales
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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I'm not quite sure a right as a rein on a horse is the correct path to follow. Most riders I know tend to leave the reins somewhat in a curve towards the horse's mouth. They only tug and tighten them straight (or right) when bringing a horse about or halting him - and even then, in a very quick fashion. When the reins are tight the horse keeps his head down and, on joy rides at least, this is not what the rider wants. I may be wrong about competition riding though.
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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I found a listing for "as right as ninepence" at http://www.shu.ac.uk/web-admin/phrases/list/"Curiously, this expression and 'as nice as ninepence' are unrelated. The ninepence here referring to the silver ninepenny pieces that were in common use in England until 1696." Mr Bingley and I remember them well. I didn't see a reference for "bent as a nine bob note" though!
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Now, what I've always heard is bent as a two quid note -- a reflection of north/south economic differences?
Bingley
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