Scylla and Charybdis

I agree Call I was talking about this particular one that is certainly not in the Pandora’s box league. I also think that if a PM is communicating to the nation during a pandemic he should be far more mindful of his use of language

He's a bit like Mr Trump in that they both use language that appeals to their 'base ' supporters.

I'd much rather he'd agreed to extend FSM than show off his classical knowledge. A bit of humanity rather than being a smarty pants.

I’d never heard of it so looked it up on Google and also found Boris on You Tube trying to impress us with his Scylla and Charybdis. Why didn’t he just say “the lesser of the 2 evils” or “between the devil and the deep blue sea” or “between a rock and hard place” which Google says is the rough meaning? Most people will have heard and understand those expressions. I’ve certainly learned something anyway!

A way Boris could have put his point across and not to seem to be cocking a snoop at the general population, he could have said `between the devil and the deep blue sea.`

Scylla 'ere.

Much as I dislike Boris, I don’t think he’s trying to impress by using this expression. It would just be natural for someone of his background. Do you think he should avoid expressions that may not be known to everybody? Lowest common denominator speech?

Perhaps people should be glad they’ve learnt something new.

Grandma70s

Much as I dislike Boris, I don’t think he’s trying to impress by using this expression. It would just be natural for someone of his background. Do you think he should avoid expressions that may not be known to everybody? Lowest common denominator speech?

Perhaps people should be glad they’ve learnt something new.

When he’s addressing the nation during a pandemic he damn well should make sure his language is clear. This is nothing at all to do with dumbing down but everything to do with effective communication.

As with all his messages, unclear to a vast amount of people. That’s his trouble, he doesn’t get his messages over. No wonder everyone is confused.

Sparkling

As with all his messages, unclear to a vast amount of people. That’s his trouble, he doesn’t get his messages over. No wonder everyone is confused.

This ???

I hardly think not using classical references such as Scylla and Charybdis is “lowest common denominator” speech.
Read the room Boris !

HMS Scylla was sunk to form a reef off the coast of Cornwall.
HMS Charybdis was sunk off the Western Isles.

Not really a good omen.

The bursaries for trainee teachers have been modified. The science subjects, fair enough, are being retained at the same level. Humanities, including English, are being slashed to zero though Languages and Classics have been retained at a reduced rate. I know that it is to do with the popularity of entering these roles, but I still find it difficult to understand funding for classics rather than English.
I thought this was an appropriate comment on this thread,
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-wields-axe-on-teacher-training-bursaries-as-covid-causes-supply-rises/

Even if his audience doesn’t know the precise details of his reference (and I didn’t until I googled) I think a majority would be aware of its general implications. It’s a cliché, after all.

I’ll try it on my sons this evening. They didn’t go to Eton.

I got his message loud and clear. We all know what to do and what not to do. He instinctively used the language he usually communicates in. We got the gist. No need to go on about it.

Whether or not we understand what the intended message was, I think we can assume some people didn’t get it.

Very poor communication. But quite honestly when has Johnson ever been good at communication?

Silly little man with an over inflated ego.

All a matter of opinion WWM2.
I don't think he's a 'silly little man' or that he has an 'over inflated ego'. He's a politician landed with a big and unexpected problem that shows no sign of improving.

I didn’t hear him speak but agree Agree with WW that most of us as well as the general population would not have understood his message ‘ loud and clear’. He was showing off and I for one am not impressed.

Jane10

All a matter of opinion WWM2.
I don't think he's a 'silly little man' or that he has an 'over inflated ego'. He's a politician landed with a big and unexpected problem that shows no sign of improving.

You don't think Johnson has an over inflated ego? Are we talking about the same person?

Yes I agree twice!

Oh well, let's all dumb down then.

LauraNorder

Oh well, let's all dumb down then.

If that's what it takes for his messaging to be clear, then yes, let's all dumb down. It was a press conference about a pandemic, not an Eton debating chamber where he got points for classical allusions.

Were the only words you lot heard 'Scylla and Charybdis'? Luckily I managed to understand what he was saying straightaway. Just lucky I guess- or not looking for things to complain about.

Well said Jane10??

How does anyone actually know that Johnson has an over inflated ego? I mean really? Watching his body language I would say he overcompensates for low self confidence and wanting to be liked by expressive gesturing and cliches.
Anyone really possessing an over inflated ego wouldn’t always try and please, the way he does.
Now, Donald Trump....there’s an obvious over inflated ego.

Watching his body language I would say he overcompensates for low self confidence and wanting to be liked by expressive gesturing and cliches.

Anyone really possessing an over inflated ego wouldn’t always try and please, the way he does.

No, we're obviously not talking about the same person. I'm talking about Boris Johnson, the well known self-serving entitled buffoon. Who are you talking about?

I have been treating this thread as a discussion about education, not as "looking for something to complain about"