Sunday, May 14, 2023

Things My Mother Said

"At night, all cats are black." 
A version of "we are all in the same boat" or, in more wholesome versions, "all same on the inside." Usually used in an "it is what it is" sense of indifference. Also see "same difference"

"Blacker than an old telephone"
Means dirty. In reference to shared phone handles touched by thousands of hands. 

"Big bell, little town"
A loudmouth or trouble maker but who cannot back up their talk. The boy who called wolf meets Regina George.

"Everything in life has a solution except for death"
A version of "nothing is guaranteed save death and taxes" Said quite often like a mantra almost like inshallah among Muslim folks.

"That is a pretty cage for such an ugly bird"
Usually reserved for older mean driving expensive cars. An ugly or unpleasant person in possession of something lovely. Note that cannot be used to refer to a situation where say boyfriends is a 4 and girlfriend is a 10. Has to be a thing. Can also apply to houses or plum jobs.

"Peaches and cream"
Rich and arrogant. Never said in Spanish but always in English but pronouncing cream as cleem.

"From any hole comes a mouse"
An ominous phrase meaning problems can arise anywhere. Usually used before checking something again or emphasize passive aggressive concern for something already solved.

"To swallow cables"
Always used as a descriptor to an event or situation. Ie, this party is to swallow cables. Means bored and a painful defeating boredom at that. 

"It's dying of laugther"
Something not in use and stored away is "dying of laugther." Always used pointedly to emphasize how something was a waste of time, money or effort. The skateboard the kids wanted and never rode...it is dying of laughter in the garage

Please note, these all sound better in Spanish.


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