turns of phrase

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 7:58 pm

During our everyday lives there are times when someone says something (maybe a borrowed phrase or an original utterance) that catches the ear.

For example...
In my work I asked a teacher about the class he had just taught and his reply was;
'I detected a thin veneer of civility'
I think I have an idea of how that class behaved

another example ....
during a meeting someone said;
'it's on the dark side of cosy'
I tried to perceive an image of 'dark side of cosy' and it still continues to intrigue.

Any other 'turns of phrase' out there that you have encountered?
Our language can be quite delightful at times.

Pete

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 8:45 pm

Hi Pete ~

Not at the moment do I have any, however:

I love the "I detected a thin veneer of civility" ~ both for its descriptiveness and subtlety, and the humour/wit of the teacher who said it.

The immediate image that was conjured by ". . . the dark side of cosy [cozy]" was that of the restaurant/lounge environments ~ with the 'overstuffed' red, vinyl-seated booths [with high sides and wood-grain half-circle tables] lining the sides; red-cloth'd tables in the center area; red, embossed, 'velvet' wallpaper; and medium to thick [generally red] carpeting ~ where in the darkened back area of the room, not wanting to be seen, but wanting very much to be intimate, sat a couple having an affair. As a waitress a number of years ago, I saw a number of these "dark sides of cozy."

~ Lizzy

Kush · Post by **Kush** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 8:45 pm

"Her words like the mountain stood lonely and lofty" (Townes Van Zandt)

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 10:07 am

"Sticks like shit to a blanket"- Norman Rance 1973
--
Paul.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 4:18 pm

Well, that's certainly graphic, Paul

~ and quite the contrast with what Kush had posted

!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 10:16 am

I dont know who said this first, but it struck me....

"nobody on their death bed wishes they had spent more time at work."

Rob.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 4:04 pm

I don't know, either, Rob.....but I've sure quoted them enough.

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:47 pm

"He's got a face like a smacked arse".

"He's a sandwich short of a picnic"

Trust me to lower the tone

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 11:26 pm

'if he had more sense he would be a half-wit!'

Pete

(you started it Paula

)

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:51 am

While we are on put-downs....

"He suffers from delusions of adequacy"
Rob.

margaret · Post by **margaret** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:03 am

the sort of person who could start a fight in an empty house,

he couldn't organise a piss-up(drinking party for those non UK residents!) in a brewery,

on meanness - tight as a crab's arse at 40 fathoms.

sorry folks, now I've lowered the tone a bit more!

margaret

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:27 pm

' a waste of human tissue'

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:57 pm

As much use as a one legged man in an arse kicking contest.

Now would someone try to lift the tone.
Rob

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:50 pm

Hey, it seems to me that once you're down there, ya'll just love to wallow

!

Cia · Post by **Cia** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 9:41 pm

"Look"; said the blind man to the death man

Cia