Phrases That Make Little or No Sense

[David In Indy]

You've heard them before. We know what they mean when we hear them, but they really don't make any sense. Here's a few -


"You can't have your cake and eat it too"

meaning - you can't have it both ways.

If we're not supposed to eat it, what do they suggest we do with it?


"There's more than one way to skin a cat"

meaning - there's more than one way to achieve a goal.

Why would anyone want to skin a cat?


"I didn't just fall off the turnip wagon"

meaning - you're not fooling me/I don't believe you

So what about the people who DID fall off a turnip wagon?


"It's the cat's pajamas"

meaning - it's wonderful. Sometimes the phrase will be directed towards a person - "He/She is the cat's pajamas" or "She thinks he's the cat's pajamas".

Cats wear pajamas?

[Front-Ranger]

"He's from Texas." 

[Monika]

"He's from Texas." 

Meaning - you rather have sex with than to drink coffee with this person"'


Why not do both?

[Penthesilea]

Since when did people fall out of the sky when it rains?

Well, since cats and dogs can fall out of the sky when it pours - why not people?

[David In Indy]

Well, since cats and dogs can fall out of the sky when it pours - why not people?

Yeah, you are thinking about It is raining cats and dogs

I was thinking about posting that one! That's a good one Chrissi!

Which makes me think of -

"When it rains it pours"

meaning - many similar or associated events tend to happen at (or close to) the same time. It's normally used when many things seem to begin going wrong all at once.

So, suddenly rain is a BAD thing?

[David In Indy]

I've not heard that one before, David.

In Australia we say:

"I didn't come down in the last shower."

Meaning you're not fooling me  or do I look stupid or somethin'?

Since when did people fall out of the sky when it rains?

Awww, that's a cute one Kerry! I have never heard it before! You Australians have all sorts of cute phrases. Maybe you can think of some more and post them in here.

[David In Indy]

    

Thanks Kerry! Those are really good, and I am not familiar with many of them. Like I said, the Australians are brilliant when coming up with these phrases. I often here them when I watch Australian movies. I particularly like these -

Scarce as rocking-horse shit.

Uglier than a hat-full of nuns’ cu*ts. (We have a similar one - "Ugly enough to stop a clock" but I like yours better!)

As useful as - lips on a chicken / tits on a bull. (Around here we say "As useful as tits on a boar")

I think this one is my favorite though - "He has a head on him like the south end of a north-bound camel."



Thanks Kerry!

All of them are very good!

[Front-Ranger]

You Aussies may not talk much...but you get your point across!

[David In Indy]

Colder than a witch's tit

meaning - it's very very cold.


"Fling enough dirt and some of it will stick"

meaning - if you ask for trouble you'll end up getting it.


"Don't sell the bear's skin before you've caught the bear".

or

"Don't count your chickens before they've hatched"

or

"Don't put the cart before the horse."

meaning - Don't be too quick to assume.


"The squeaky wheel gets the grease"

meaning - those who complain the loudest will get noticed first.

In contrast to that-

"You will attract more bees to honey than to vinegar".

meaning - Being pleasant will yeild better results.


"A guest and a fish are after three days poison."

meaning - Don't wear out your welcome.

[David In Indy]

Re: the bear- my Mom used to say that one.
________________________


I forgot about this one -

Tighter than a fish’s arsehole.


Around here we say -

"Pucker up tighter than a snare drum"

Example - "Don't expect him to lend you any money because if you do his ass will pucker up tighter than a snare drum."