Hocus Pocus and All That
By Maureen L. Bonatch
Do You Get That Idiom?
This year in my part of the world it seems that March often comes in like a lamb. A wet, soggy lamb, mind you, but it’s starting off mild. If it does, that leaves us to believe that it will go out like a lion. I say this with the assumption that you’ve heard the idiom of, “In like a lion, out like a lamb.”
If you haven’t then perhaps you just thought I might’ve lost a little more of my ‘writer marbles.’ You might’ve shrugged it off, thinking many writers are a little unusual anyway…
Many people use these old idiomatic expressions with the assumption that people know what they’re talking about. They’re fun to toss in a conversation, but can become problematic if you come across one in a story and don’t know what they’re talking about.
Did you Just Call Me an Idiot?
Although it sounds similar, an idiom isn’t the same as an idiot, unless that’s what you’re grumbling when you come across a confusing passage in a book that’s actually an idiom squeezed in there. Otherwise, an idiom is a group of words that doesn’t really have a meaning. Some might be more popular in certain regions, or time periods, but I’d assume many have begun to make less and less sense to younger generations.
What Did You Say?
If you’re familiar with the idiom, it seems perfectly natural to say it because it makes sense to you because you know the implied meaning. But if you haven’t heard it before, it makes pretty much no sense at all to stick these in a perfectly normal conversation.
• “Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.”
This implies that you shouldn’t accidently throw out something good with the bad or reject the favorable with the unfavorable.
But since not many people are actually throwing out bathwater since the invention of running water, and hopefully no one has lost a baby to relate to the situation, it just sounds a little confusing.
• “A penny for your thoughts.”
A way to ask someone what they’re thinking, although with inflation, I think the rate would be much higher now.
• “Hear it straight from the horse’s mouth”
When you want to hear it from someone in authority. Younger generations haven’t even heard of the old television show with the talking horse, Mr. Ed, or have much to do with horses at all. Therefore, they’d be out of luck waiting for their confirmation.
• “The whole nine yards”
All of it, everything. I’m not sure why nine yards is everything. I might want more than that, or to round it up to an even number.
• “Sit on the fence”
When you can’t make a decision. Although this seems like an awfully uncomfortable place to sit to contemplate something. I think I’d decide rather quickly just to get off the fence.
• “Pull the wool over your eyes”
When you deceive someone. Again, the lack of sheep, or spare wool makes it sound as if you had this line in a book that they failed to successfully yank their sweater over their head.
• “Piece of cake”
To describe something that is simple, or easy. Now I don’t want an easy task, I just want something sweet.
• “Elvis has left the building”
To announce that the show has come to an end. Even though Elvis is still brought up today, sadly I’m not certain some people would know who he was.
Choose Your Words Carefully
I love to write a post that makes you realize you can’t judge a book by its cover to gain the curiosity of my audience. But I’d lose it quickly if that curiosity killed the cat and left me crying over spilled milk. So the ball is in your court if you want to share some of your favorite idioms, but don’t bite off more than you can chew—because there are a lot of them.
© 2023 Maureen Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and caffeine and wine are essential for survival. When she’s not doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, she’s a mom to twin daughters, exploring the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby and dancing as much as possible. She writes paranormal cozy mysteries as M.L. Bonatch, paranormal romance and other genres as Maureen Bonatch, and her latest urban fantasy will be as Amber Wrath. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/
Did you Just Call Me an Idiot?
Although it sounds similar, an idiom isn’t the same as an idiot, unless that’s what you’re grumbling when you come across a confusing passage in a book that’s actually an idiom squeezed in there. Otherwise, an idiom is a group of words that doesn’t really have a meaning. Some might be more popular in certain regions, or time periods, but I’d assume many have begun to make less and less sense to younger generations.
What Did You Say?
If you’re familiar with the idiom, it seems perfectly natural to say it because it makes sense to you because you know the implied meaning. But if you haven’t heard it before, it makes pretty much no sense at all to stick these in a perfectly normal conversation.
• “Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.”
This implies that you shouldn’t accidently throw out something good with the bad or reject the favorable with the unfavorable.
But since not many people are actually throwing out bathwater since the invention of running water, and hopefully no one has lost a baby to relate to the situation, it just sounds a little confusing.
• “A penny for your thoughts.”
A way to ask someone what they’re thinking, although with inflation, I think the rate would be much higher now.
• “Hear it straight from the horse’s mouth”
When you want to hear it from someone in authority. Younger generations haven’t even heard of the old television show with the talking horse, Mr. Ed, or have much to do with horses at all. Therefore, they’d be out of luck waiting for their confirmation.
• “The whole nine yards”
All of it, everything. I’m not sure why nine yards is everything. I might want more than that, or to round it up to an even number.
• “Sit on the fence”
When you can’t make a decision. Although this seems like an awfully uncomfortable place to sit to contemplate something. I think I’d decide rather quickly just to get off the fence.
• “Pull the wool over your eyes”
When you deceive someone. Again, the lack of sheep, or spare wool makes it sound as if you had this line in a book that they failed to successfully yank their sweater over their head.
• “Piece of cake”
To describe something that is simple, or easy. Now I don’t want an easy task, I just want something sweet.
• “Elvis has left the building”
To announce that the show has come to an end. Even though Elvis is still brought up today, sadly I’m not certain some people would know who he was.
Choose Your Words Carefully
I love to write a post that makes you realize you can’t judge a book by its cover to gain the curiosity of my audience. But I’d lose it quickly if that curiosity killed the cat and left me crying over spilled milk. So the ball is in your court if you want to share some of your favorite idioms, but don’t bite off more than you can chew—because there are a lot of them.
© 2023 Maureen Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and caffeine and wine are essential for survival. When she’s not doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, she’s a mom to twin daughters, exploring the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby and dancing as much as possible. She writes paranormal cozy mysteries as M.L. Bonatch, paranormal romance and other genres as Maureen Bonatch, and her latest urban fantasy will be as Amber Wrath. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/
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