I could have called this entry “A Droplet,” to more accurately describe the little bead of water suspended from the flamingo’s beak—but then I couldn’t use the title as a lead-in to an entirely unrelated story about the phrase “a drop in the bucket,” which you may be familiar with. Basically, it means, one tiny portion of a vast multitude—yes? And it comes from the image of a single droplet within the whole waters of a bucket. It’s the version of “a drop in the ocean” before inflation.
And yet my father, for many years, believed that the saying described a drop in a bucket—that is to say, someone plummeting from a height while sitting in a bucket. (I think they’re already in the bucket, not dropping into the bucket.)
Isn’t language funny?
And yet my father, for many years, believed that the saying described a drop in a bucket—that is to say, someone plummeting from a height while sitting in a bucket. (I think they’re already in the bucket, not dropping into the bucket.)
Isn’t language funny?
{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}
5 comments:
=) That's a riot (re: falling whilst in a bucket). I love language-so entertaining. Amazing photo, AS EVER.
When I was a kid I said "bading" suit vs. bathing suit, 'cause that's what I thought people were saying. Somehow did NOT get it right until I was around 11, and I did NOT have a lisp or any reading/spelling problems. It was so subtle, it slipped under the wire for years (even my mom's razor sharp language error detector!). =)
It’s also funny what you grow up thinking is English—at least if you’re only one or two generations away from other countries and languages. My father was convinced for many years as a kid that “mopina” was the English word for dishcloth, and I myself was shocked to discover—maybe even in my teens—that “ibric” (pronounced “eee-breeek”) is not the English name for a metal pitcher with a handle in which to heat coffee on the stove (or make Turkish coffee). Of course, since the English by and large make atrocious coffee, perhaps there *is* no English word for such an item.
I have to make a guess that flamingos are your favorite at least through a photographer's lens.
As I said, and I'll reiterate because, as with the right wing, if you say it often enough, no matter how fantastical, it must be the truth, I want a whole room covered in Flamingo Fridays. It would always be warm, sunny, and elegant there...
Well, it looks to me as if the flamingo in the picture is contemplating language and its use and misuse. For example, he (or she, as the case may be) is probably saying "'He who hesitates is lost,' but, on the other hand, 'Look before you leap.' However, you should also strike while the iron is hot' -- even though that's probably the WORST time to strike because the iron is HOT, and you'll burn yourself! And why are you striking this poor iron to begin with?"
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