One of the strangest English ones (out of many) is "on crack", which is a little tricky to explain. Basically it means exaggerated, in an insane way. For example, one might say a bushmaster is like a rattlesnake on crack. A particularly fast-paced TAS (like the SM64 0-star) could be said to be "on crack".
I think usually 'on crack' refers to the effects of the popular recreational drug Crack. The drug elevates energy and emotional levels to quite a high, hence someone who is incredibly happy or energetic can be said to be 'on crack', but I find it quite demeaning really.
No baby, no shit - Trying to do something really hard, but not making any progress
Funny. I didn't know people actually use this one. It is one of my favorites. I feel tempted to put it in my signature: "The result of this will be neither child nor shit."
Just now I noticed it should literally be child but to get a better understanding a baby is used.
"To keep a school of silence"
I don't know if other languages have a word for moping person not talking (back).
Joined: 10/27/2004
Posts: 1978
Location: Making an escape
Wall flowers, maybe? Or that could just be "shy people", not "mopers".
Another good one I remembered earlier. It's less an idiom and more a euphamism, but I think it still works.
To cut the cheese: To fart.
A hundred years from now, they will gaze upon my work and marvel at my skills but never know my name. And that will be good enough for me.
I think usually 'on crack' refers to the effects of the popular recreational drug Crack. The drug elevates energy and emotional levels to quite a high, hence someone who is incredibly happy or energetic can be said to be 'on crack', but I find it quite demeaning really.
Clearly it is used differently in the UK. In Canada and the US, it means what I was explaining earlier, and can easily refer to inanimate objects.
I've heard it used both ways in the US -- in Chamale's case, I think it is derived from the fact that crack cocaine gives the user a sense of being stronger/faster/better.
Joined: 8/1/2004
Posts: 2687
Location: Seattle, WA
The term "on crack" in the US is very literal, much like LDC noted. It's a reference to how things act and/or perceive when they are high on cocaine. Notably, when things are spastic, convoluted, or superhuman. I've never heard it used in any other way.
Joined: 11/18/2006
Posts: 2426
Location: Back where I belong
Chamale wrote:
LagDotCom wrote:
I think usually 'on crack' refers to the effects of the popular recreational drug Crack. The drug elevates energy and emotional levels to quite a high, hence someone who is incredibly happy or energetic can be said to be 'on crack', but I find it quite demeaning really.
Clearly it is used differently in the UK. In Canada and the US, it means what I was explaining earlier, and can easily refer to inanimate objects.
I agree with LagDotCom. Many types of actions and feelings can be conveyed onto inanimate objects in the English language (That car rocks!, My computer sucks, etc.)
I always thought that "crocodile tears" were tears accompanied by uncontrollable sobbing instead of false tears.
Chamale wrote:
One of the strangest English ones (out of many) is "on crack", which is a little tricky to explain. Basically it means exaggerated, in an insane way. For example, one might say a bushmaster is like a rattlesnake on crack. A particularly fast-paced TAS (like the SM64 0-star) could be said to be "on crack".
Usually something insanely exaggerated is said to be "on steroids" and something that is "on crack" is unusually energetic or crazy.
Joined: 4/30/2006
Posts: 480
Location: the secret cow level
In English, "putting your foot in your mouth" means you said something that makes you look like an idiot.
This leads to the adage "a closed mouth gathers no feet."
In English, "putting your foot in your mouth" means you said something that makes you look like an idiot.
This leads to the adage "a closed mouth gathers no feet."
Joined: 3/11/2004
Posts: 1058
Location: Reykjavík, Ísland
adzicents wrote:
I'm surprised the phrase "When the shit hits the fan" hasn't been mentioned. Used when something has gotten out of control or blown out of proportion.
I thought it was more literal. I imagine a running fan and a lump of shit. Then the shit hits the fan and it goes everywhere. A terrible secret is revealed, or something has dire consequences, or something along those lines.
