Idioms Explained
Viewing comments for Chapter 25 "Three More Fun Idioms "Fanstorians explain the backstory of idioms
31 total reviews
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
That 'spend a penny' is outdated now as they charge anything up to a pound to use the loo these days! Loving this very English idioms here Sandra, I hope you had a good Christmas and Happy New Year to you, let next year be the best, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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That 'spend a penny' is outdated now as they charge anything up to a pound to use the loo these days! Loving this very English idioms here Sandra, I hope you had a good Christmas and Happy New Year to you, let next year be the best, love Dolly x
Comment Written 27-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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I know, it's a shame. It doesn't have the same ring about it, though, 'I need to spend a pound!' Thanks, Dolly. Yes, we had a lovely Christmas with family. I hope yours was a good one, too? I hope you have a brilliant 2022, and all your wishes come true. :)) Sandra xx
Comment from Jay Squires
the stories of which were written hundreds of years ago! [The "of which" doesn't seem to work for me. When it sounds awkward, I usually can trace the "of which" back to the source and instead end the sentence with the dreaded preposition "of". Here, I can't find a place for it, which makes me wonder if the sentence might be improved by changing the wording to something like, "... comprised of stories {that} were written hundreds of years ago!" Or perhaps it's just me and the "of which" works just fine.]
I've never heard of "Spend a Penny". Save it, yes, thanks to Ben Franklin, but not to spend one. Thanks for this one!
And, OMG, thanks for the wonderful story of the Drunken Ducks and their new knitted sweaters. That last part, I think is apocryphal, since I think she'd have to dip them in scalding water to pluck them, but it's funnier your way!
I hope your Christmas was lovely, Sandra, and that your New Year will be fruitful. I'm looking forward to your new novel!
Jay
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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the stories of which were written hundreds of years ago! [The "of which" doesn't seem to work for me. When it sounds awkward, I usually can trace the "of which" back to the source and instead end the sentence with the dreaded preposition "of". Here, I can't find a place for it, which makes me wonder if the sentence might be improved by changing the wording to something like, "... comprised of stories {that} were written hundreds of years ago!" Or perhaps it's just me and the "of which" works just fine.]
I've never heard of "Spend a Penny". Save it, yes, thanks to Ben Franklin, but not to spend one. Thanks for this one!
And, OMG, thanks for the wonderful story of the Drunken Ducks and their new knitted sweaters. That last part, I think is apocryphal, since I think she'd have to dip them in scalding water to pluck them, but it's funnier your way!
I hope your Christmas was lovely, Sandra, and that your New Year will be fruitful. I'm looking forward to your new novel!
Jay
Comment Written 27-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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Thank you, Jay! I can see what you meant and have changed the wording to ... comprised of stories 'that' were written...
Spending a penny is still quite a commen expression in the UK, even though we've not had to pay a penny for decades now. I'm glad you enjoyed the drunken ducks story, I'm going there next year to see the inn. One of my reviewers told me she'd actually been there and told me it was worth a visit. (write hand blue, Mel)
Thank you so much for the sixth star, my friend, and the lovely review. I hope you have a blessed, happy, healthy New Year! Love and hugs, Sandra xx
Comment from Sally Law
This is another splendid chapter with so much fascinating information told in your voice. I can hear you....
The storm in a teacup is just too much! My Christmas dinner and celebration is tomorrow, and I can't wait to share it. Everyone will think me so smart!
Sending you my best today as always and blessings for the new year and book! Hooray! I finish with my Epilogue next Sunday, I hope.
Sal XOs...
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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This is another splendid chapter with so much fascinating information told in your voice. I can hear you....
The storm in a teacup is just too much! My Christmas dinner and celebration is tomorrow, and I can't wait to share it. Everyone will think me so smart!
Sending you my best today as always and blessings for the new year and book! Hooray! I finish with my Epilogue next Sunday, I hope.
Sal XOs...
Comment Written 26-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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Thank you again, my dear Sal! It warms my heart to know you are enjoying these idioms. I really liked what you said about it being in my voice! Enjoy your Christmas dinner, my friend, and have a lovely New Year. I'll be watching for your Epilogue!! Love and hugs, Sandra xxx
Comment from Cindy Warren
I loved the story about the ducks. I'm just glad she hadn't roasted them as well, and they were able to wear their sweaters till their feathers grew back!
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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I loved the story about the ducks. I'm just glad she hadn't roasted them as well, and they were able to wear their sweaters till their feathers grew back!
Comment Written 26-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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Thanks, Cindy! I think the ducks would have raised merry hell if she'd put them in the oven!!! Lol. I'm glad you liked the story. Happy new year, my friend. :)) Sandra xxx
Comment from Ben Colder
Excellent as always. I learned much from this. In the sothern part of the US we have many old saying some I suspect originated from you guys. Have a great year, Sandy.
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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Excellent as always. I learned much from this. In the sothern part of the US we have many old saying some I suspect originated from you guys. Have a great year, Sandy.
Comment Written 26-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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I hope you had a lovely Christmas, Chuck? Thank you so much for reading my last idioms for this year and for the lovely six stars! I'm so pleased you liked them. I wish you an amazing new year, my friend. Love and hugs. Sandy xxx
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Fabulous foursome. I've never heard of spend a penny--in US we say "see a man about a horse/dog." My friend says "I have to pay the water bill--I just googled it--not found--I wonder if he made it up! The drunken duck story is priceless.
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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Fabulous foursome. I've never heard of spend a penny--in US we say "see a man about a horse/dog." My friend says "I have to pay the water bill--I just googled it--not found--I wonder if he made it up! The drunken duck story is priceless.
Comment Written 26-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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Some men here say, I'm going to check on my wife's wedding present! Lol. Thanks, Liz, I hope you had a lovely Christmas. Warm hugs, Sandra xxx
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Brilliant!
Alas, follow-up on google finds "pay the water bill" as Chuck says it.
Comment from Pantygynt
Thee amazing thing about the penny in the slot loos is that they lasted as long as they did without falling victim to inflation. They were still that price in the sixties though I dont know whenthis sad little dittie was penned.
Here I sit all broken hearted
Paid a penny and only farted!
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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Thee amazing thing about the penny in the slot loos is that they lasted as long as they did without falling victim to inflation. They were still that price in the sixties though I dont know whenthis sad little dittie was penned.
Here I sit all broken hearted
Paid a penny and only farted!
Comment Written 26-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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LOL!!! That is so funny! Only us oldies would understand that joke, if I told it to my boys and grandchildren they'd wonder what the heck I was on about! Lol. I think the loos were the only thing that didn't rise. Thanks, Jim! :)) Sandra xxx
Comment from aryr
What a wonderful chapter of continuing idioms, Sandra. I loved the pictures throughout. I liked that you gave each idiom their own little title and picture. The story was phenomenal, I truly loved it. Very well done and greatly enjoyed. Happy New Years to all! Hugs, smiles and Blessings.
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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What a wonderful chapter of continuing idioms, Sandra. I loved the pictures throughout. I liked that you gave each idiom their own little title and picture. The story was phenomenal, I truly loved it. Very well done and greatly enjoyed. Happy New Years to all! Hugs, smiles and Blessings.
Comment Written 26-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2021
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Aw, thank you, Alie, I'm glad you enjoyed my last lot of idioms for this year. I start my novel next week, but will still add more idioms now and again. And I'm really pleased you like the little story! Lol, Graham often comes out with these little gems. Happy New Year to you, too, my friend! Love and hugs, Sandra xxx
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You are so very welcome, Sandra. Yeah for Graham, he did a great job. Happy New Years, blessings.
Comment from lyenochka
That duck story is so surprising! And does it come with an idiom, too? I was thinking "ducks in a row" but that in American English refers to having this organized. Drunken ducks aren't likely to be all in row. Lol.
Enjoyed learning about Chaucer's and Cicero's influences on English idioms. Thankfully, we can read them on the internet without getting their books now.
It's name is 'The Drunken Duck Inn' (Its)
Thank you so much for your wonderful contributions and eductaining us!
Blessings to you and yours in the New Year!!
reply by the author on 26-Dec-2021
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That duck story is so surprising! And does it come with an idiom, too? I was thinking "ducks in a row" but that in American English refers to having this organized. Drunken ducks aren't likely to be all in row. Lol.
Enjoyed learning about Chaucer's and Cicero's influences on English idioms. Thankfully, we can read them on the internet without getting their books now.
It's name is 'The Drunken Duck Inn' (Its)
Thank you so much for your wonderful contributions and eductaining us!
Blessings to you and yours in the New Year!!
Comment Written 26-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 26-Dec-2021
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Thank you so much, Helen, it has been a pleasure. I was gobsmacked to read 'write hand blue' - Mel's review. She has been to the Drunken Duck Inn! She told me it was worth a visit, so I'm going in the New Year. How funny is that! There are loads of idioms for ducks, I'm always being surprised at how many there are! I'm delighted you enjoyed these idioms. Have a wonderful New Year, my friend, and stay safe and well. Love and hugs Sandra xxxx
Comment from write hand blue
Hi Sandra, I like your interesting selection of idioms. I'm familiar with them all. Including the Drunken Duck Inn. Worth a visit if you haven't been there before. We drove from Liverpool on a day trip, and had a lovely meal there. Checked out the B&B rates while we were there, but they were sky high. That was three years ago. Keep safe. Mel x
reply by the author on 26-Dec-2021
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Hi Sandra, I like your interesting selection of idioms. I'm familiar with them all. Including the Drunken Duck Inn. Worth a visit if you haven't been there before. We drove from Liverpool on a day trip, and had a lovely meal there. Checked out the B&B rates while we were there, but they were sky high. That was three years ago. Keep safe. Mel x
Comment Written 26-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 26-Dec-2021
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Wow! We're travelling up there later next year to visit family. I'll go and find the place. The photo of it on Google looks nice. But if it was that expensive three years ago, it will be more so now! I'll stay with my cousin Thank you so much for the lovely sixth star, Mel, and the really nice review. Knowing you have visited the Drunken Duck really gave me a buzz. Have a wonderful New Year, my friend. :)) Sandra xxx
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It's real oldy world, I'm sure you'll enjoy. Have a great New Year. Keep safe. Mel. x
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I'm definitely going! :)) xx