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few cans short of a six pack

 

An 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  
Old March 28, 2008, 02:36 PM
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few cans short of a six pack

I recently read
"looks like he's a few cans short of a six pack"
Can somebody explain it?
It' like "le falta un hervor"? (it's not enough cooked)
We use this term when a person who is not relly dumb (he can read, talk, and mainatin a conversation) but it's no really clever (you have to explain all, "esasily foolable", and so on)

saludos
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  #2  
Old March 28, 2008, 02:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sosia View Post
I recently read
"looks like he's a few cans short of a six pack"
Can somebody explain it?
It' like "le falta un hervor"? (it's not enough cooked)
We use this term when a person who is not really dumb (he can read, talk, and maintain a conversation) but it's no really clever (you have to explain everything, he's "easily tricked", and so on)

saludos
Yep, you've got the idea exactly. There are a bunch of similar expressions:

He's a few fries short of a Happy Meal. (Cajita feliz en MacDonalds)
The lights are on but nobody's home.
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  #3  
Old March 28, 2008, 03:11 PM
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Here is one web site that lists over 200 ways to say the same thing:
http://www.rdrop.com/~jimka/geek_insult.html

It says geek insults on the web site, but we use the phrases to describe anyone who's really out there.
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Old March 29, 2008, 12:57 AM
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Here's two creative insults that have stuck in my mind for many years:

He fell out of the dumb tree and hit every branch on the way down.
He can't pour water out of a boot that has instructions on the heel.

Winston Churchill was also known for his creative insults. I'll paraphrase one for you:

Lady So and So came up to Winston Churchill, wanting to insult him.

"If I were married to you, I'd poison your coffee."

To which Churchill blithely responded

"If I were married to you, I'd drink it."



More Churchill quotes:

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."

Correspondence between George Bernard Shaw and Churchill
Shaw to Churchhill: “I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend... if you have one.”
Churchhill to Shaw: “Cannot possibly attend first night; will attend second, if there is one.”

Insults between Lady Astor & Churchill
"Sir, if I were married to you, I would serve you posion in your wine."
"Madam, if I were married to you, I would drink it."
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Last edited by Tomisimo; March 29, 2008 at 01:04 AM. Reason: Adding more Churchill quotes.
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Old March 29, 2008, 02:36 PM
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Thanks both. Funny links and quotes

Last edited by sosia; March 29, 2008 at 02:38 PM.
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  #6  
Old March 31, 2008, 06:45 AM
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It's funny, but if I heard "a few cans short of a six pack" I would think of the guy's appearance, not his intellect. In fact when you refer to a bloke's "six pack" you are talking about his manly chest.
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Old April 01, 2008, 04:19 AM
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Yes Iris, but a "four pack" is bot so bad. Sadder is my one-pack
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Old April 01, 2008, 06:38 AM
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mi sixpack está en la nevera
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  #9  
Old April 01, 2008, 02:28 PM
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Don't worry, Sosia, there's always hope. You could maybe take up weightlifting...
Nice to know you look after your six-pack, Poli.
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  #10  
Old April 01, 2008, 06:43 PM
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While you're working out, you can try for some washboard abs too.
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