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A sandwich short of a picnicAn idiom is an expression whose meaning is not readily apparent based on the individual words in the expression. This forum is dedicated to discussing idioms and other sayings. |
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#1
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A sandwich short of a picnic
It means not quite all there mentally - a bit daft, silly, stupid.
I'm looking for other similar sayings in English, and also any equivalent sayings in Spanish. Thanks in advance. |
#2
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BNC includes the following:
a couple of currants short of a teacake a few bricks short of a full load a few co-ordinates short of a bearing two bricks short of a wall a few bricks short of a stable It seems to be a productive snowclone - anyone can make up something which fits the pattern and uses nouns appropriate to the subject they're writing about, and expect to be understood. |
#3
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There are no equivalent expressions in Spanish. You would translate 'he's a few .... short of a ...' by using adjectives such as:
Es un poco corto Es un poco espeso (like the English thick) I have just remembered another expression: No tiene muchas luces All of the above are quite derogatory, like their English counterparts.
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"When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies." from Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie |
#4
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Quote:
My mind has gone blank on this - I thought of several when I was talking to a student & the sandwich one came up. I said there were lots of them & we'd talk about them in the next lesson. Cue blank mind |
#5
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Quote:
What I often do is ask them to think of examples themselves, or like you, pick up the topic again in the next lesson. Even set it as an assignment for the next day: 'Let's see how many examples you can find on the net, guys'. We are just human, but so much more entertaining, lovable and imaginative than a perfectly knowledgeable teacher-robot would be. Or so I tell myself...
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"When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies." from Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie |
#6
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Quote:
I didn't want to go to the next lesson with him empty-handed though. I'm quite happy to admit when I don't know things - and will reach for a dictionary/reference book if need be. I've been teaching this particular guy for a couple of years now & we do have a bit of a laugh. It makes work so much easier if we're all enjoying ourselves. |
#7
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other examples : a few screws loose (usually crazy not stupid)
not the brightest light in the marquis light in the piazza
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Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias. |
#8
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Quote:
__________________
"When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies." from Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie |
#9
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In the US, some years ago, "A fry short of a happy meal"
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#10
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Lights on but nobody's home.
short-changed
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Elaina All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. Walt Disney |
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