 Horror/Scary: October 10, 2007 Issue [#1988] |
  Horror/Scary
This week: Edited by: W.D.Wilcox  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
The cave was dark and dank...
Could some one please tell me just what the heck 'dank' is? |
| ASIN: B01IEVJVAG |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99
|
|
WORDS MEAN THINGS...IDIOMS
Words fascinate me, but idioms like ‘drives me crazy’ have become a part of our everyday language that we hear and use constantly. Common phrases like these are widely and frequently used, have well understood and generally agreed upon meaning--that is what makes them common, but very often the widely understood meaning of a phrase seems to have nothing to do with the words that compose it. Yet, we use them, oblivious as to why, but I tell ya, I sure get a kick out of them.
Expressions, like, "Beating a dead horse." Now that’s an odd occupation.
How about, "I laughed like hell." Is that what they do in hell?
I love this one, "Do you see what I’m saying?" Uh…no.
Where do these things come from? Why do we use these phrases in our daily conversations?
I bet you’ve all heard this one, "That really drives me up the wall." What is that, a form of road-rage?
And my all time favorite, "I’m pooped." Really…well, that’s very interesting.
Of course, there are lots and lots of others:
"I’m on fire." Where's Smokey the Bear when you need him.
"I’m head over heels in love." I suppose that's better than, heels over head.
"Go figure…" That must be a math idiom.
And, "I feel fit as a fiddle." Since when is a musical intrument compared to good health?
We’ve all heard these before, but if you actually look at the phrase, it makes absolutely no sense ‘whatsoever’ (I love using that one too…whatsoever.)
Here’s a real common one, "It’ll be like taking candy from a baby." You gotta be pretty evil to do that, right?
Horror has its idioms too: Scared to death; dead ringer; dropping like flies; the Devil's advocate; flesh and blood; feeding frenzy; graveyard shift; an ax to grind; knee-jerk reaction; like a chicken with its head cut off; make no bones about it; by the skin of your teeth; and of course, to hell in a hand basket.
So, I ask you, where do these expressions come from? Who’s the genius that started saying them ‘in the first place?’ The answer is…I dunno. You can find idioms throughout literature. It’s like, they’ve always been there.
Some can be explained by a cultural movement, like "hot diggity dog", "groovey, baby", "sock it to me", and "that's bitchin." But others defy explanation, like, "I’m gonna scare the living daylights out of you." What the heck are 'the living daylights'?
How about, "I am at one with nature." Well, what if you were at two?
Here's a conversation, if taken literally, would send you to hell in a hand basket.
"Stop busting your chops! The whole thing is a piece of cake."
"I dunno, man, I'm sweating bullets. If I don't get this done, my goose is cooked. I don't like feeling I've been caught with my pants down."
"Aw, don't be such a worry wart. You've got more than you can shake a stick at."
"Well, you've heard it straight from the horse's mouth that this ain't nothing but a wild goose chase. I'm afraid they're going to take me to the cleaners--clean my clock."
"You know, when you talk like that, you're just as cute as a button."
Until next time,
billwilcox
|
TRICK OR TREAT?
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1326992 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1260224 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1173320 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1324136 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#883185 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1271544 by Not Available. |
And be sure to check this out. I personally think it is awesome.
|
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: 1542722411 |
|
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99
|
|
HELL IN A HAND BASKET
dejavu_BIG computerprobs 
Submitted Comment:
Excellent newsletter on writing descriptions. The examples and ideas you put forth were very helpful and will be a great asset in helping me to improve my writing ability.Thanks for a great issue.
madmanmike
Submitted Comment:
W.D.
Thank you so much for featuring "HAYWIRE" in the newsletter.
-MadManMike
|
| ASIN: B07K6Z2ZBF |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
|
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction
of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
