EEPhil
Number 28
Now that I've worked out what it does it's even funnier. (Linux isn't something I use very often).
Amusing Items
- Thread starter Black Hole
- Start date
YorkshiremanII
Member
For some reason I've just been led to this old thread, where it is stated that "if earth and all its inhabitants were squashed down until as dense as a black hole, it would fit onto a teaspoon"". (Snipped the answer to preserve the secret)
Shame! I was hoping it was a term of abuse.
But surely, it would also fit onto anything larger, such as a soup spoon, or a tablespoon, or a shovel, or a plate, or into an eggcup, or, or.... into my mug of coffee here... Therefore this option is correct at (virtually) all times
EEPhil
Number 28
Why would you want to cast flowers?
(Yes, I'm reasonably sure it was a deliberate play on words.
)
HugeMaximum
Member
All infinitely improbable.
Wildebeest
Member
It's a play on words I use from time to time, no idea where I got it from, lost in the midst of time.Why would you want to cast flowers?
(Yes, I'm reasonably sure it was a deliberate play on words.
EEPhil
Number 28
It's one I've heard before, but I can't remember where either.
OP
Black Hole
May contain traces of nut
It's a malapropism. We have several in my family, they get received and adopted down the generations, and in our case "nasturtiums" got mutated to "nastutialums" I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of these came from wartime radio broadcasts from the likes of the Crazy Gang or Arthur Askey.
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EEPhil
Number 28
Could be. Aspersions -> nasturtiums sounds a bit too highbrow for the ITV "comedy" Nearest and Dearest. A programme from my childhood where word mangling was commonplace.
It must be Sunday as I was bored enough to look it up....................................
wordhistories.net
‘to cast nasturtiums’: meaning and origin
a deliberate malapropism punning on ‘to cast aspersions on’—UK, 1902—nasturtiums are low plants with large round leaves and orange, red or yellow flowers
wordhistories.net
Luke
Well-Knwοn Мember
It was repeated a but too often in "Nearest and Dearest", (or possibly the television was on too often when that programme was being broadcast). I think it was supposed to be some sort of running gag.
Apparently it was also used in Dad's army and Red Dwarf. Looking at what is easily available on-line one of the oldest usages was in 22 October 1902's Kent & Sussex Courier.
Owen Smith
Well-Known Member
Nasturtiums are sturshings in our family. Many of them come from young children not pronouncing words (or in our family worms) properly. Some of our favourites are stainler steen for stainless steel and poonce for spoon.
Wildebeest
Member
Hilda Ogden was another character from that period who frequently used malapropisms (often referring to her muriel IIRC)
The article also refers to "I resemble that remark" which I'd never heard until starting one particular job where someone used it quite a lot.It must be Sunday as I was bored enough to look it up....................................
‘to cast nasturtiums’: meaning and origin
a deliberate malapropism punning on ‘to cast aspersions on’—UK, 1902—nasturtiums are low plants with large round leaves and orange, red or yellow flowers
I know the word comes from the character of Mrs. Malaprop, I had it in my mind that she was a Shakespeare character but looking it up it was Sheridan's "The Rivals" (1775) (which I've neither seen nor read).
The Wikipedia article on it gives quite a good example of using amphibious for ambidextrous - I must remember that one! (I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous).
OP
Black Hole
May contain traces of nut
You mean amphibious!
EEPhil
Number 28
If you'd seen an interview this morning on Good Morning Britain with a young Australian woman who lost part of an arm and leg to a shark attack you might not find that so amusing. Particularly as she made the decision to give up her left arm, because she is right handed, in a successful bid to fight off the shark.
OP
Black Hole
May contain traces of nut
But that in itself is wokery, not being allowed to crack a joke just because someone, somewhere, might find it offensive. You should detach the one from the other – yes no doubt a tragic case, but in no way relevant to casual word play (and that's more word play!).
As Peter Cook said (in the sketch with Dudley Moore as a one-legged man applying for the part of Tarzan): "I have nothing against your right leg, the trouble is neither do you".
I proof-read a brochure recently, and the advertised prices included "travel and all entrances". I wanted to correct that to "admissions", but I was told the word "admissions" sounded too much like hospital admissions, and therefore triggering to the older age group this was pitched at. Whatever next, can't call a tap a tap because it might mean a light blow? We compromised on 'entries".
OP
Black Hole
May contain traces of nut
Like the Three Letter Anachronism, the truth is oft spoken in jest.
prpr
Well-Known Member
"Entrances" is ridiculous. "Admissions" isn't much better. "Entrance fees" would be the most appropriate I think. If they can afford the extra four characters...
Or "Entry fees" then, and they get three of their four extra characters back. What a bargain. "Entries" is as bad as the previous two.
What's the cure for water on the brain?
A tap on the head.