Idioms people don't understand

Escape goat.

Gin

I remember my Italian friend dramatically covering her face with her beautifully manicured hands and crying ‘I am so ash-amed’ (ashamed) and wondering why I giggled. Ever after I have been at times ash-amed!

Do any of you have mispronounced words as family favourites used for ever and a day? ‘Flutterbys and parcarks are favourites with the flower anniemoan (anenome) from my childhood but still used.

My friend was horrified when she realised she had used her family’s pronunciation of ‘canayps’ for canapés when talking to her husband’s boss at a work ‘do’!

My auntie mangled many words and idioms, talking about someone being an ‘ignorant ramus’ and another being an ‘escape goat’.

Blossoming

‘Restbite’ instead of respite.

I used to see that a lot on a forum for carers of people with dementia. But even this arch-pedant couldn’t get too wound up - the poor things were desperate for a ‘bite’ of ‘rest’.

Sparklefizz

I remember reading a sign out loud in Woolworths when I was a child, saying "Thieves will be prose cutted" and my Mum laughing and explaining it was "prosecuted". I was only 6 though... but the thing is, if you have only ever read a word and never heard it pronounced, the English language is confusing, eg. hyperbole (hy-PER-bo-lee) but hypocrite (HIP-o-crit)

I do remember seeing signs in M&S and wondering what on earth linger-y was.

Doodledog

My favourite is reaper cushions

I had to say that aloud 3 or 4 times before I cottoned on

I think it would sound rather odd.

I just tried, and I can't say it with the p and b each pronounced separately.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone pronounce the ‘p’ in raspberry.

I said rasberry and not raspberry for years.

Doodledog

My favourite is reaper cushions

Brilliant

NotSpaghetti

My father called the Co-op the Cworp. It was in jest but harked back to his South Wales roots.
I can hear him saying it now.. 🧡

Yes, it was always known as the 'Corp' in Yorkshire - ham sandwiches at the Corp after a funeral!

Also used 'chimbleys' and M&S has always been known as Marks and Spensives since my very young daughter sat down in town one day and said very stroppily, 'no more Marks and Spensives'!

My now very aged aunt had a 'lady that did' and bless her she was a hoot but unknowingly so. She used to say things like Quality Cast Lawnmowers, Priory Place was known as Priority Place, and when my aunt once went abroad to Brazil she asked what religion was there - mainly Catholics says my aunt, like in Italy - the reply being 'oh I didn't know there were any Catholics there'. Bless her that woman worked looking after my gran until she was in her 80's and used to take 2 buses to get to her, she was remarkable, but never had an education.

Caleo

Marydoll, when I wrote the above I had forgotten about dyslexia. iI would never intentionally do so especially as I have recently recovered from an ischaemic stroke and lost all language for a few days.

I do hope you are feeling a bit better.

I taught in a school where pupils who struggled with language were dismissed as not very bright. The management team were stuck in the dark ages.
It was when I started looking for ways to help, I became hooked on helping these pupils over come their challenges.
It was only then, I realised that my very bright daughter was dyslexic, but very good at covering up. I was mortified.

However, all medical and educational issues aside, I do find malapropisms amusing.
I am on a medication, which is for me is difficult to pronounce, despite having a languages degree, so I just shorten it! My consultant finds it amusing and I know he is not mocking me.

I (error: typo(

Marydoll, when I wrote the above I had forgotten about dyslexia. iI would never intentionally do so especially as I have recently recovered from an ischaemic stroke and lost all language for a few days.

People who can't spell and people who use cliches are more often than not the same people.

Both DH and DD2 are diagnosed dyslexics.
I added to this thread light heartedly.

Auntieflo

I have just read on the local Next Door forum, an electrician saying "it's all a process of illumination"? when advising on how to check the usage of a smart meter.
I think he meant elimination. Made me smile though.

Auntiflo, Don't you think he meant it 'tongue in cheek' or was he not 'educated' enough (as an electrician) to understand what he was stating? As a Sparky, he could have been making a clever/humorous marketing comment perhaps.

lizzypopbottle

I've just seen pedantry described as knit picking but the one that always makes me smile is 'bare with me'! It's an invitation I'm not likely to accept!
(I know that anti-virus (aka autocorrect 🤔) will make nonsense of anything I type, if I don't check before I press the send button!)

A friend and I are always on the look out for these on Facebook Marketplace. As always there are the 'chester draws' but the one that made me laugh the most was this one ...

My favourite is reaper cushions

Please, everyone, stop repeating 'power of eternity' - a moment ago, I suddenly couldn't remember the correct version, even though I say it regularly. I am in grave danger of making a complete fool of myself if I can't get 'eternity' out of my head again very soon! 😁

*people

Some of my older relatives (Yorkshire folk) always said chimbley. I think we forget how different the many dialects were that used to be extremely common.

Also, the whole point of idiom, surely, is that it can be misinterpreted. Without it necessarily having been invented to catch poeple out, it is 'particular' in whatever language it arises and is used in – particular in the sense that aliens (non-locals) will take a while to catch on to its subtlety. And some never will, as this thread illustrates.

Oops, should I previewed, then again I have dyslexic tendencies too, but I can laugh at my errors.

As a confirmed pedant and someone one who is highly qualified in working with those who have dyslexia, including my own daughter, I can assure you I have never mocked anyone who has dyslexia.

This is was I am sure, intended to be a lighthearted thread.

I hate it when people say “are you joking”. Why the hell would I be joking? I have just informed you my cat has died!

Also one of my friends always says chimbley instead of chimney and don’t get me started on bath and Barth!