Odd expressions

cassie
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Odd expressions Aug 1, 2021 5:57:06 GMT -5 via mobile heatherly and a_muppet like this

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Post by cassie on Aug 1, 2021 5:57:06 GMT -5

A very strange swear word is a Dutch one , bliksem because literally translated this means lightning. Less offensive but also a swear word donder, which can mean thunder.
So while it's ok to say there's a storm with thunder and lightning. Onweer met donder en bliksem. Or to mention a lightning strike, blikseminslag...

Used outside of this context they are quite offensive, donder op is akin to F*** off and bliksem , well that eludes me I haven't found anyone who can give me a proper definition... Everyone agrees in a very dirty word!
I read book by an American who had been travelling on a bus, seeing lightning come down in a nearby village he had pointed and said "oh look bliksem" he was promptly and unceremoniously turfed off the bus and left to walk in the rain.
So if I see lightning I tend to use the phrase 'weer lichten'.. translated: weather lights...
I don't want to find myself kicked off the public transport and walking home in a storm 🙂

a_muppet
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Odd expressions Aug 1, 2021 7:41:54 GMT -5 cassie likes this

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Post by a_muppet on Aug 1, 2021 7:41:54 GMT -5

Aug 1, 2021 5:57:06 GMT -5 cassie said:

A very strange swear word is a Dutch one , bliksem because literally translated this means lightning. Less offensive but also a swear word donder, which can mean thunder.
So while it's ok to say there's a storm with thunder and lightning. Onweer met donder en bliksem. Or to mention a lightning strike, blikseminslag...

Used outside of this context they are quite offensive, donder op is akin to F*** off and bliksem , well that eludes me I haven't found anyone who can give me a proper definition... Everyone agrees in a very dirty word!
I read book by an American who had been travelling on a bus, seeing lightning come down in a nearby village he had pointed and said "oh look bliksem" he was promptly and unceremoniously turfed off the bus and left to walk in the rain.
So if I see lightning I tend to use the phrase 'weer lichten'.. translated: weather lights...
I don't want to find myself kicked off the public transport and walking home in a storm 🙂

I find it funny that 'f**k' can be a noun, a verb [in any tense], or an adjective. It can also be good or bad.

Caution, I am feral.

jen
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Odd expressions Aug 1, 2021 12:46:01 GMT -5

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Post by jen on Aug 1, 2021 12:46:01 GMT -5

Aug 1, 2021 5:57:06 GMT -5 cassie said:

A very strange swear word is a Dutch one , bliksem because literally translated this means lightning. Less offensive but also a swear word donder, which can mean thunder.
So while it's ok to say there's a storm with thunder and lightning. Onweer met donder en bliksem. Or to mention a lightning strike, blikseminslag...

Used outside of this context they are quite offensive, donder op is akin to F*** off and bliksem , well that eludes me I haven't found anyone who can give me a proper definition... Everyone agrees in a very dirty word!
I read book by an American who had been travelling on a bus, seeing lightning come down in a nearby village he had pointed and said "oh look bliksem" he was promptly and unceremoniously turfed off the bus and left to walk in the rain.
So if I see lightning I tend to use the phrase 'weer lichten'.. translated: weather lights...
I don't want to find myself kicked off the public transport and walking home in a storm 🙂

Maybe you will know if it is the same in Germany as I remember seeing 'donner und blitzen' being used in literature here (as soft German curses).

How does it go at Christmas with Santa's reindeer?

Last Edit: Aug 1, 2021 12:50:30 GMT -5 by jen

cassie
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Odd expressions Aug 1, 2021 13:00:51 GMT -5 via mobile a_muppet likes this

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Post by cassie on Aug 1, 2021 13:00:51 GMT -5

I hate to break it to you but father Christmas is considered an American invention and not really that popular here. Both here and in Germany we celebrate the birthday of st. Nicholas the bishop of Myra. On Dec 5th. Until very recently Christmas was basically a religious festival and a time for families to get together.

jen
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Odd expressions Aug 2, 2021 2:24:19 GMT -5 a_muppet and cassie like this

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Post by jen on Aug 2, 2021 2:24:19 GMT -5

Aug 1, 2021 13:00:51 GMT -5 cassie said:

I hate to break it to you but father Christmas is considered an American invention and not really that popular here. Both here and in Germany we celebrate the birthday of st. Nicholas the bishop of Myra. On Dec 5th. Until very recently Christmas was basically a religious festival and a time for families to get together.

Yes I agree but Christmas has been celebrated, at least in Germany, for some time as I researched a little to find an old fashioned German card I could copy for an home made card for a member in our art group who grew up in Germany. I forget the actual date of the card I found but it was from the 1930's.

I looked things up a bit and found this which indicates the origin of the reindeer but there is a Dutch connection even though it is likely American. Rather obscure but, even so, not recent: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Visit_from_St._Nicholas. There is a mention of Donner and Blitzen but the background appears a little hazy. I just wondered how they are viewed over there and in Germany as it's not likely to be a subject just hidden away?

In my search through Christmas cards I did find a greater European following for St Nicholas. Russia too can be added to your list. I suppose it is perhaps the reason, which I didn't quite get, that there is less emphasis on Christmas in Germany. I have found that when communicating with some German friends online.

Last Edit: Aug 2, 2021 2:27:54 GMT -5 by jen

cassie
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Odd expressions Aug 2, 2021 2:50:31 GMT -5 a_muppet and jen like this

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Post by cassie on Aug 2, 2021 2:50:31 GMT -5

Aug 2, 2021 2:24:19 GMT -5 jen said:

Aug 1, 2021 13:00:51 GMT -5 cassie said:

I hate to break it to you but father Christmas is considered an American invention and not really that popular here. Both here and in Germany we celebrate the birthday of st. Nicholas the bishop of Myra. On Dec 5th. Until very recently Christmas was basically a religious festival and a time for families to get together.

Yes I agree but Christmas has been celebrated, at least in Germany, for some time as I researched a little to find an old fashioned German card I could copy for an home made card for a member in our art group who grew up in Germany. I forget the actual date of the card I found but it was from the 1930's.

I looked things up a bit and found this which indicates the origin of the reindeer but there is a Dutch connection even though it is likely American. Rather obscure but, even so, not recent: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Visit_from_St._Nicholas. There is a mention of Donner and Blitzen but the background appears a little hazy. I just wondered how they are viewed over there and in Germany as it's not likely to be a subject just hidden away?

In my search through Christmas cards I did find a greater European following for St Nicholas. Russia too can be added to your list. I suppose it is perhaps the reason, which I didn't quite get, that there is less emphasis on Christmas in Germany. I have found that when communicating with some German friends online.

There were a great many immigrants to the US from Northern Europe in the 19th century, Germany, The Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries of Sweden Norway and Denmark. So while Germany and NL had St Nicholas the Norweigens often had pictures of a winter figure in hunting robes of fur with a large fur trimmed hat. They also enjoyed stories of their popular Norse Gods.

Donder, or thunder comes from the name Thor and variations are seen in the spelling of Thursday in Scandinavian countries as well as here the name Thursday is donderdag ( literally thunderday). Thor is the God of thunder and according to legend this very popular God would ride the heavens on a slee pulled by two goats. Its easy to see how this story might have been adapted by immigrants where a melting pot of ideas and traditions met, his hunting robes turned red like the Bishop and his goats became reindeer..

Its possible not 100% but then nothing about Christmas is fact really is it?

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Last Edit: Aug 2, 2021 2:53:51 GMT -5 by cassie

priscillams Premier Member Posts: 3,547	Odd expressions Aug 2, 2021 12:00:18 GMT -5 a_muppet likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by priscillams on Aug 2, 2021 12:00:18 GMT -5 Disparaging terms is a category of itself. I like some of the old ones best, a favorite is calling someone a "bird brain".

Popcorn&Candy Rare Member Posts: 11,364	Odd expressions Aug 2, 2021 13:39:14 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Popcorn&Candy on Aug 2, 2021 13:39:14 GMT -5 Fact: that T-Rex had a bird brain.
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a_muppet
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Odd expressions Aug 2, 2021 16:32:01 GMT -5

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Post by a_muppet on Aug 2, 2021 16:32:01 GMT -5

Aug 2, 2021 12:00:18 GMT -5 priscillams said:

Disparaging terms is a category of itself. I like some of the old ones best, a favorite is calling someone a "bird brain".

Ba' heid is the scots equivalent.

It translates to Ball Head, ie a head full of nothing.

Last Edit: Aug 4, 2021 3:32:20 GMT -5 by a_muppet

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jen Rare Member Posts: 12,729	Odd expressions Aug 3, 2021 1:46:44 GMT -5 a_muppet and cassie like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by jen on Aug 3, 2021 1:46:44 GMT -5 Aug 2, 2021 13:39:14 GMT -5 Popcorn&Candy said: Fact: that T-Rex had a bird brain. If it was the brain of a crow then they were really dangerous as crows have even been known to use tools.

cassie
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Odd expressions Aug 3, 2021 1:56:03 GMT -5 a_muppet, jen, and 1 more like this

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Post by cassie on Aug 3, 2021 1:56:03 GMT -5

Aug 3, 2021 1:46:44 GMT -5 jen said:

Aug 2, 2021 13:39:14 GMT -5 Popcorn&Candy said:

Fact: that T-Rex had a bird brain.

If it was the brain of a crow then they were really dangerous as crows have even been known to use tools.

I know there is a film showing crows or raven beating chimps at puzzle games , and this film shows them using tools and understanding the displacement of water to get treats.. Not bird brained at all...

a_muppet Global Moderator Posts: 35,018	Odd expressions Aug 4, 2021 3:33:17 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by a_muppet on Aug 4, 2021 3:33:17 GMT -5 Not power tools though!
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alsr Elite Member III Posts: 7,901	Odd expressions Aug 6, 2021 0:47:04 GMT -5 heatherly and kjay like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by alsr on Aug 6, 2021 0:47:04 GMT -5 Break a leg.

kjay Moderator Posts: 24,231	Odd expressions Aug 7, 2021 5:45:11 GMT -5 heatherly and a_muppet like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by kjay on Aug 7, 2021 5:45:11 GMT -5 odd man out
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TestDummyCO
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Odd expressions Aug 20, 2021 21:40:08 GMT -5 heatherly and a_muppet like this

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Post by TestDummyCO on Aug 20, 2021 21:40:08 GMT -5

Seeing "the cat's whiskers" and "the cat's pyjamas" earlier in this thread made me think of what we use in the USA, "the cat's meow."

A morning radio show has a segment called "Beat the Brit," where a caller goes head to head with English Evan answering trivia questions. One of the idioms that stumped him was "letting the cat out of the bag," which means revealing a secret.

Being a "ham" or "hamming it up" is to act or behave in an exaggerated or playful way.

Third (maybe, also fifth) wheel is to be the odd man out or unnecessary to the others in the group.

heatherly Administrator Maintain low tones! Posts: 16,394	Odd expressions Aug 21, 2021 12:27:04 GMT -5 a_muppet likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by heatherly on Aug 21, 2021 12:27:04 GMT -5 "To the teeth" and "long in the tooth."
	Last Edit: Aug 21, 2021 12:27:17 GMT -5 by heatherly

TestDummyCO Premier Member Posts: 3,812	Odd expressions Aug 21, 2021 12:57:46 GMT -5 a_muppet likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by TestDummyCO on Aug 21, 2021 12:57:46 GMT -5 "To a T" (like in the letter "T") = exactly, or to perfection "To the nines" = to a great or elaborate extent

a_muppet Global Moderator Posts: 35,018	Odd expressions Aug 21, 2021 13:45:54 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by a_muppet on Aug 21, 2021 13:45:54 GMT -5 Where there's a will, there's a way.
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TestDummyCO Premier Member Posts: 3,812	Odd expressions Aug 21, 2021 13:54:44 GMT -5 heatherly, a_muppet, and 1 more like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by TestDummyCO on Aug 21, 2021 13:54:44 GMT -5 Aug 2, 2021 13:39:14 GMT -5 Popcorn&Candy said: Fact: that T-Rex had a bird brain.

jen Rare Member Posts: 12,729	Odd expressions Aug 22, 2021 2:40:21 GMT -5 a_muppet likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by jen on Aug 22, 2021 2:40:21 GMT -5 'A sandwich short of a picnic' or 'a few slices short of a loaf'. I have also hear 'two slices short of a loaf'.

TestDummyCO Premier Member Posts: 3,812	Odd expressions Aug 22, 2021 12:12:35 GMT -5 a_muppet likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by TestDummyCO on Aug 22, 2021 12:12:35 GMT -5 Not playing with a full deck A screw loose Not the sharpest tool in the shed Not the brightest bulb on the tree

heatherly
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Odd expressions Aug 22, 2021 12:47:33 GMT -5 a_muppet and jen like this

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Post by heatherly on Aug 22, 2021 12:47:33 GMT -5

Cool as a cucumber.

"This phrase may have originated from the fact that even in hot weather, the inside of cucumbers are approximately 20 degrees cooler than the outside air. Therefore, a person who stays cool, calm and relaxed in a difficult situation can be compared to a cucumber staying cool inside, even in hot weather!"

Rebecca Jo
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Odd expressions Aug 22, 2021 23:35:23 GMT -5 heatherly, a_muppet, and 1 more like this

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Post by Rebecca Jo on Aug 22, 2021 23:35:23 GMT -5

Aug 22, 2021 12:47:33 GMT -5 heatherly said:

Cool as a cucumber.

"This phrase may have originated from the fact that even in hot weather, the inside of cucumbers are approximately 20 degrees cooler than the outside air. Therefore, a person who stays cool, calm and relaxed in a difficult situation can be compared to a cucumber staying cool inside, even in hot weather!"

That's fascinating! Or very cool, I should say.

For all the Roald Dahl fans out there, we should have "revolting like a snozzcumber"!

jen Rare Member Posts: 12,729	Odd expressions Aug 23, 2021 3:19:03 GMT -5 a_muppet likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by jen on Aug 23, 2021 3:19:03 GMT -5 "Long in the tooth"

a_muppet
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Odd expressions Aug 23, 2021 3:49:25 GMT -5

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Post by a_muppet on Aug 23, 2021 3:49:25 GMT -5

Aug 22, 2021 12:47:33 GMT -5 heatherly said:

Cool as a cucumber.

"This phrase may have originated from the fact that even in hot weather, the inside of cucumbers are approximately 20 degrees cooler than the outside air. Therefore, a person who stays cool, calm and relaxed in a difficult situation can be compared to a cucumber staying cool inside, even in hot weather!"

20 degrees seems an awful lot?

Caution, I am feral.

kjay Moderator Posts: 24,231	Odd expressions Aug 23, 2021 5:31:33 GMT -5 heatherly and a_muppet like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by kjay on Aug 23, 2021 5:31:33 GMT -5 Butter someone up
	Chase your dreams. In high heels of course.

a_muppet Global Moderator Posts: 35,018	Odd expressions Aug 23, 2021 12:33:58 GMT -5 heatherly, kjay, and 1 more like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by a_muppet on Aug 23, 2021 12:33:58 GMT -5 Aug 23, 2021 5:31:33 GMT -5 kjay said: Butter someone up That is really funny when you reflect.
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jen Rare Member Posts: 12,729	Odd expressions Aug 23, 2021 12:58:37 GMT -5 heatherly and kjay like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by jen on Aug 23, 2021 12:58:37 GMT -5 Butter wouldn't melt in his mouth

kjay Moderator Posts: 24,231	Odd expressions Aug 23, 2021 14:59:20 GMT -5 heatherly, Rebecca Jo, and 1 more like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by kjay on Aug 23, 2021 14:59:20 GMT -5 Aug 23, 2021 12:33:58 GMT -5 a_muppet said: Aug 23, 2021 5:31:33 GMT -5 kjay said: Butter someone up That is really funny when you reflect. imgur.com/EKBbJaN
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heatherly
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Odd expressions Aug 23, 2021 17:11:40 GMT -5

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Post by heatherly on Aug 23, 2021 17:11:40 GMT -5

Aug 23, 2021 3:49:25 GMT -5 a_muppet said:

Aug 22, 2021 12:47:33 GMT -5 heatherly said:

Cool as a cucumber.

"This phrase may have originated from the fact that even in hot weather, the inside of cucumbers are approximately 20 degrees cooler than the outside air. Therefore, a person who stays cool, calm and relaxed in a difficult situation can be compared to a cucumber staying cool inside, even in hot weather!"

20 degrees seems an awful lot?

I wouldn't know for certain if that measurement is accurate, but that's the gist of it ;p Maybe we'll have to buy cucumbers to test it out.

Post by cassie on Aug 1, 2021 5:57:06 GMT -5

Post by a_muppet on Aug 1, 2021 7:41:54 GMT -5

Post by jen on Aug 1, 2021 12:46:01 GMT -5

Post by cassie on Aug 1, 2021 13:00:51 GMT -5

Post by jen on Aug 2, 2021 2:24:19 GMT -5

Post by cassie on Aug 2, 2021 2:50:31 GMT -5

Post by priscillams on Aug 2, 2021 12:00:18 GMT -5

Post by Popcorn&Candy on Aug 2, 2021 13:39:14 GMT -5

Post by a_muppet on Aug 2, 2021 16:32:01 GMT -5

Post by jen on Aug 3, 2021 1:46:44 GMT -5

Post by cassie on Aug 3, 2021 1:56:03 GMT -5

Post by a_muppet on Aug 4, 2021 3:33:17 GMT -5

Post by alsr on Aug 6, 2021 0:47:04 GMT -5

Post by kjay on Aug 7, 2021 5:45:11 GMT -5

Post by TestDummyCO on Aug 20, 2021 21:40:08 GMT -5

Post by heatherly on Aug 21, 2021 12:27:04 GMT -5

Post by TestDummyCO on Aug 21, 2021 12:57:46 GMT -5

Post by a_muppet on Aug 21, 2021 13:45:54 GMT -5

Post by TestDummyCO on Aug 21, 2021 13:54:44 GMT -5

Post by jen on Aug 22, 2021 2:40:21 GMT -5

Post by TestDummyCO on Aug 22, 2021 12:12:35 GMT -5

Post by heatherly on Aug 22, 2021 12:47:33 GMT -5

Post by Rebecca Jo on Aug 22, 2021 23:35:23 GMT -5

Post by jen on Aug 23, 2021 3:19:03 GMT -5

Post by a_muppet on Aug 23, 2021 3:49:25 GMT -5

Post by kjay on Aug 23, 2021 5:31:33 GMT -5

Post by a_muppet on Aug 23, 2021 12:33:58 GMT -5

Post by jen on Aug 23, 2021 12:58:37 GMT -5

Post by kjay on Aug 23, 2021 14:59:20 GMT -5

Post by heatherly on Aug 23, 2021 17:11:40 GMT -5

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