As it's been longer than anticipated since the previous post until now (the next post), I'll write something uncreative simply to compromise any reader's spare time, much like the post two before this, and in effect continuing with the closing topic. That was, by the way, exploring phrases in English that make no sense if taken literally. So - let us begin!
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The next phrase - here's a good one - 'it's raining cats and dogs'. If it happens to be raining at the moment, when you're reading this, go and look outside. Look for cats and dogs falling from the clouds. I can quite assure you that you won't find any, no matter how hard you search for the query. Scientifically, then, it can be stated with much confidence that particles of water do not contain the protiens and other organic materials necessary to create life as we know it. Water isn't even living itself. So how did we come to use the phrase?
This I did research, and found that (like much in English), it was borne more out of old things than logic. It can be traced to the 1700s, when torrential rains would cause rapid flooding, carrying the corpses of dogs and cats through the streets. Thus, heavy rains come with the implication that they also rain - not living - but dead household pets, which we've all come to love. I can't determine if the picture evoked by that is more grim or comedic... Perhaps a better phrase (one to replace 'it's raining cats and dogs') would be, 'it's raining hard enough to disturb the dead', because the rain would have transported corpses of the cats and dogs, thus 'disturbing' them. And if that were true, there would likely be a terrible series of horror movies about flood rains that create zombies; so perhaps the phrase is indeed best as it is?
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'The whole nine yards'. This phrase is used to describe something that is utterly complete. For instance, one might say, 'Leonardo da Vinci really went the whole nine yards in painting The Last Supper.' Research says that the definate origins of the phrase are unknown, but are assumed to be sometime from the late 1930s to the 1970s. The explanation I like best describes the phrase as deriving from World War II combat pilots, because to 'go the full nine yards' (as they would say), was to use up all twenty-seven feet (nine yards) of the aircraft's machine gun ammunition belt. But of course, because the origins of the phrase are uncertain, many explanations have been offered, besides the one above, no one able to comprehensively prove nor disprove any theory. So that takes care of that.
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And finally, 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush'. I used to have a very hard time understanding this phrase, but truthfully it is much more a proverb than phrase. It means, essentailly, that something assured is better than something uncertain - a small, but certain, portion of food is better than than a larger portion that can only questionably be gained (as with hunting.) My explanations of such things are terrible, and as such I offer my apologies. The proverb teaches a valuable lesson, but literally does not add up. A bird in your hand is worth the same as a bird in the bush (the forest), assuming both are the same type of bird. You can't fairly say that just because you touched it you should receive extra for it. That doesn't work. But the proverb is good.
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And to close the post, I'd like to rant about animal rights. I am aware of animal activists who believe that all animals should be given human rights, and that humans have no right to kill and consume them. Surely the activists wouldn't mind a bear consuming a fish, or a fish consuming plankton. It's all part of nature's food chain. As it is, humans top the food chain currently. Humans, too are animals, and thus have just as much right to eat a fish (or a bear) as a bear does.
It could also be argued that if animals are to be given rights, then why not plants and trees? Surely these too are living, and don't deserve to be killed against their own will. But again, consumption is all part of nature's food chain, and plants play an active role in it, just as other animals do. So that answers that, I think.
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FIN
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4 comments:
Hello, there! This comment may seem utterly random, and if I received one like it I would most likely stare at the computer monitor in complete confusion whilst typing a response because I would have no idea why someone left me such a note, but I felt the need to comment here.
Now, this rant you have procured. It's quite interesting to me. Your arguments are of quality, and I myself have pondered near the same things on many occasions. Indeed, I shall be using 'it's raining hard enough to disturb the dead' as a phrase from now on, and if anyone questions the origins of it, I shall point them in the direction of your post.
Hm. Are you sure you are 15? Judging by your manner of speaking and other such details, you seem to be much the senior. Of course, I cannot talk, for I'm a mere 14, but I must admire your use of the english language on your blog. It's inspiring, to say the least.
As you may have noticed by now, there really wasn't actually a point to this comment. I simply felt the need to say something in response to your post, or rather, in response to your blog in general. To let you know now, I might randomly decide to comment on other posts of yours, such as the one I found you by, your essay on 'Watership Down'. If you do like the book, I'll say right now that I have to disagree with you. I loathe it with a passion. In fact, on a daily basis I look upon it in scorn, for it is the bane of my existence this summer. Thank god next summer we will be reading more interesting novels, such as Brave New World - a delightful book :D - and The Anthem (I believe it's called).
Alright. I think I've been bothersome enough.
Adieu,
Sarah
monkychic640@aim.com
(Please, dear god, do not look down upon me for my email address. I created it in younger times and have not felt the need to discard it since.)
Your comments are flattering, but certainly overzealous. Thank-you nonetheless!
Though I am quite certain of my age, unless a birthday has escaped me; or (more appropriately), I have escaped several birthdays.
You have escaped birthdays? Sounds miserable. You missed out on a good chance to stuff yourself with cake. ; )
Haha! I loved your post. Quite intriguing, really. Your arguments are most just. I also agree on the morbid stories that would most likely come from the phrase "it's raining hard enough to disturb the dead". It's a good thing such morbid thought's only occur in your mind. *winks*
haha I like the thought about protecting plants and trees too.... maybe protect water while we're at it...
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