The "Vocabulary and Idioms" Game

Just thinking about words and language and phrases......
about how I know why it's called "denatured alcohol" and what "show them the ropes" means and WHY it's called that....what is the origin of that phrase? "Cat out of the bag"? "Jump the shark"?

Why do these phrases mean anything to us?

Maybe lots of people don't know, or don't care. But Words are so important, and I just thought maybe we could play, and learn together.

"idiom" is my first word LOL!!

An idiom is a phrase or saying that has a specific abstract meaning to a certain culture of shared language speakers.

"raining cats and dogs" is an example. Anyone know where that one came from?

How about "sea change" and "street elbow"?

a reply to: VeeTNA

You can also argue the fact this type of thinking is also where the term "IQ" came from. It's all about in the know. It's hip to be square.

a reply to: Rekrul

Yep - you could argue that.

But when someone uses a phrase or idiom or word, and knows what it means and why it means that, it matters.
I think.

a reply to: VeeTNA

Of course it matters. You think therefore you are. "it's raining cats and dogs" can't be proved. It's one of those phrases everyone just knows.

This whole thread is up in the air

So: "denatured alcohol"

What does that mean?

It is alcohol that has been chemically altered to be not potable....so that stores sell it to customers without a license to sell "alcohol". You can't drink it.

a reply to: Rekrul

where does "up in the air" come from? Why does it mean what it means?

A very “Darmok” thread.

“Raining cats and dogs”:

Back when homes were little more than huts with thatched (tightly packed marsh reeds) roofs, it was not uncommon for various vermin (mice, rats, etc.) to take up residence in the thatch.

Heavy rains would sometimes dislodge these creatures en mass, from their lofty nests.

Heavy rain would result in a “rain” of rats.

Rats became cats as a rhyming substitution (common in dialects such as “Cockney” English), “cats and dogs “ was just a natural linguistic progression.


Or so I’ve heard.

a reply to: VeeTNA denatured alcohol can be easily solved. It's a deterrent. As for "up in the air"? That phrase is pretty much debatable. Literally. You're guess is as good as mine.

a reply to: VeeTNA

You can't drink it.

Why, what's it do?

Jump out of your mouth?

a reply to: Bhadhidar

Brilliant! That's exactly the type of thing I want to know and share.

a reply to: Bhadhidar

Darmok and Jalad at tanagra '91.

a reply to: VeeTNA

This thread is driving me up a wall.

a reply to: LookingAtMars

you can't swallow it. It is completely unpalatable.

There's a good one:

unpalatable

Not able to be consumed; the palate will not allow it

a reply to: LookingAtMars

Look it up. The indigenous people of Australia will literally drink gasoline. They had to make it un-drinkable because of the growing problem.

a reply to: Liquesence

driving me up a wall.

LOL!! Good one....

Means one is trying to escape the room/area in which they are trapped

originally posted by: Rekrul
a reply to: VeeTNA

Of course it matters. You think therefore you are. "it's raining cats and dogs" can't be proved. It's one of those phrases everyone just knows.

Or "It's raining dogs and cats" (movie reference)

a reply to: VeeTNA

My mom used to call me a fart in the skillet....
Figure that one out....lol

originally posted by: Rekrul
a reply to: LookingAtMars

Look it up. The indigenous people of Australia will literally drink gasoline. They had to make it un-drinkable because of the growing problem.

But it's not undrinkable.

You just get sick if you drink it.