Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[Radio64]

Not sure that the Italian has quite the same meaning. 'To die for' indicates something desirable - it has a solely positive meaning. Doesn't the Italian have a closer meaning to the English 'to death' (bores me to death, sick to death) in being more frequently negative (Mi dispiace da morire)?

possibly 'a morte' .. annoiato a morte... (more likely Questa musica è di una noia mortale).

Note the English 'sick to death' is a kind of double-metaphor, so not easily translated. You might hear 'Sono stanco morto (di..)'. cf. "sick and tired" (!)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

On a more serious note, I find phrases that relate to earlier methods of torture to be particularly disturbing.

"... He needs stretching" (the rack)
"...tightening the screws" (thumbscrews)
"... I'm going to nail him" (crucifixion)
"...piling on the pressure" (the press)

Etc.

[jean]

...I find phrases that relate to earlier methods of torture to be particularly disturbing.

"... He needs stretching" (the rack)

The idea of 'stretching' someoene so as to give them opportunity and encouragement to perform art their best (how else is it used of people?) is certainly a metaphor, but I wouldn't think it necessarily comes from the rack.

[Radio64]

The idea of 'stretching' someoene so as to give them opportunity and encouragement to perform art their best (how else is it used of people?) is certainly a metaphor, but I wouldn't think it necessarily comes from the rack.

Tht's really stretching the imagination a bit.

[Bryn]

Tht's really stretching the imagination a bit.

I'm wracking my brain to 'get my head around' that one.

[Radio64]

I'm wracking my brain to 'get my head around' that one.

Well I'll be blowed/blown ! (oo-er!)

[jean]

Enough of that. This is a respectable messageboard.

Of EA's original four examples, I think only the tightening the screws one can be directly linked to a method of torture. It certainly isn't related to other metaphorical uses of the word so I'll thank you to keep them off this thread.

[Radio64]

Enough of that. This is a respectable messageboard.

Of EA's original four examples, I think only the tightening the screws one can be directly linked to a method of torture. It certainly isn't related to other metaphorical uses of the word so I'll thank you to keep them off this thread.

Seems respectable enough to me!

I hope we're not cracking down on any untoward language here.

[Bryn]

Seems respectable enough to me!

I hope we're not cracking down on any untoward language here.

Perhaps a case of the bow-tie* being in the eye of the beholder?

[cf F. V. Zappa on the matter of the etymology of "beauty".]

[Radio64]

Perhaps a case of the bow-tie* being in the eye of the beholder?

[cf F. V. Zappa on the matter of the etymology of "beauty".]

I don't wish to stretch the point and become a whipping boy.

[jean]

You're welcome to become a scapegoat instead, if you like.

[Radio64]

You're welcome to become a scapegoat instead, if you like.

I'd rather not make an ass* of myself.

* note to self: do not image-google "ass" at work, repeat do not...

[Nick Armstrong]

whipping boy

I'd advise against google-image searching that at work, likewise...

[french frank]

"How may I help yew?" I always mentally hear it in a Brooklyn accent ...

I think the British way used to be, on the phone, statement of name and/or business with an enquiring rise in intonation which invited the caller to proceed. In a department store it would have been, 'Good morning, madam' - again with the same rise in intonation.

Or, 'Can I help you?' or 'Do you need any help?'

[Sir Velo]

Enough of that. This is a respectable messageboard.

Yes miss.

You weren't a teacher were you?