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Post by Pete on Apr 25, 2024 13:59:26 GMT
I can think of 2 right away.
1) "Like finding a needle in a haystack." Anytime something is going to be difficult to find someone is likely say that. Why would a needle be in a stack of hay in the first place? Why would someone be near a haystack using a needle?
2) "That's very true." There are no degrees of truth. Either something is true or not.
Can you think of any?
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Post by Sandy on Apr 25, 2024 14:27:04 GMT
LOL A lot of common expressions annoy me. The first one that popped into my head is "It takes one to know one."
Is that supposed to mean that if I recognize someone to be a liar or a thief, I myself, must be a liar or a thief? It also follows that a lot of policemen/women must be closet thieves, or worse - first degree murderers!
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Post by Pete on Apr 25, 2024 14:44:54 GMT
Sandy, here's another one that bugs me more than others since it's used by a radio announcer who I expect to have a professional knowledge of the English language.
Every summer he goes on air to announce a regatta on a river. And repeatedly says, "Come to the boat regatta!" The definition of 'regatta' is boat show. So what he's saying is, "Come to the boat boat show!"
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Post by Sandy on Apr 25, 2024 14:51:36 GMT
I guess you might say he's redun done -it !!
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Post by Sandy on Apr 25, 2024 15:02:05 GMT
I dislike the expression, "What goes 'round, comes 'round."
I'm not even certain what the heck that means...... just that it really annoys me.
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Post by dave2 on Apr 25, 2024 15:25:53 GMT
Most of these phrases are familiar and I've probably used some of them many times. It was part of "local" vocabulary when I was growing up.
Not high on my list of gripes because I usually know what the person who states them intends to relate to me.
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Post by Sandy on Apr 25, 2024 15:47:05 GMT
Dave, we're not seriously complaining about these pithy sayings; they have long been a part of all our lives. We're just romping around in them  |
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Post by Pete on Apr 25, 2024 17:34:26 GMT
Sandy, maybe you'd like "What goes 'round, comes 'round." more if you understand that it means: Whatever you do in life will come back to you. Meaning your actions have consequences, whether good or bad.
In a word, karma.
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Post by Pete on Apr 25, 2024 17:39:48 GMT
Dave, my thought behind some these will be: some of them are far outdated & overused & some like "Like finding a needle in a haystack." make no sense. I've not been near a haystack since I worked on a farm 35 years ago. And I certainly had no use for a needle.  I'd like to see fresh new phrases with the same meanings. |
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Post by Pete on Apr 25, 2024 17:44:01 GMT
This one doesn't really bother me, I just wonder why folks say it.
So many when talking of a VIN or PIN will add the word 'number' after that acronym.
Like: "I needed my PIN number for my bank account." Do they not know what the 'N' stands for?
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Post by Pete on Apr 25, 2024 17:56:38 GMT
Here's a word I often hear misused: who.
It's a pronoun that refers to a person, a human. But it is often used in regard to an animal.
They guy who knocked at my door was delivering a package. Correct.
The dog who bit me was known for that. Nope, incorrect.
It should be: The dog that bit me...
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Post by Sandy on Apr 25, 2024 18:16:22 GMT
Come to think of it, Pete, what I don't know, have perhaps never known, is what the VI and PI stand for in the above acronyms
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Post by Pete on Apr 25, 2024 18:19:39 GMT
Sandy, Vehicle Identification & Personal Identification.
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Post by Sandy on Apr 25, 2024 18:25:59 GMT
That makes sense! Thanks, Pete!
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Post by Sandy on Apr 25, 2024 20:15:59 GMT
When I first came to Texas, many years ago, I often heard this. "It don't make me no never mind."
Fortunately, I never hear it any more.
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