Comments on: Mama, Tell Me True

By: Sharon Kirk Clifton

Sharon Kirk Clifton — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:50:43 +0000

I recently completed my first middle-grade novel manuscript. It is set in southeastern Kentucky. Some of the idioms familiar in that region show up especially in the dialog. When I was researching in the area, I spoke with Dr. Loyal Jones, director of Appalachian studies at Berea College. “Come as close to the dialect as you can,” he told me, “but be sure you get the idioms right.”

By: Karen MacGowan

Karen MacGowan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:51:03 +0000

I know my grandma used to tell me to keep my “cotton-picking” hands off things, but the best story I remember was of when she frightened me as a young child with a halloween mask and I literally screamed the words “bloody murder” as had been so often described. I’m sure other children learn, as I did, the true meaning of idioms when they hear the re-tellings and realize that by their innocent mistake, they have brought tears of laughter to so many people.

By: LeAnne Hardy

LeAnne Hardy — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:52:36 +0000

My grandmother used to tell me she loved me “a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.” I don’t think my grandkids would have the faintest idea what a bushel and a peck are. As I recall, I had to have them explained to me, but then in those days we also studied them in math class.

By: Barbara Blakey

Barbara Blakey — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:58:37 +0000

My Dad uses idioms almost daily; it’s just his way. When asked “how are you?” he replies, “Fine as frog’s hair,” or “Good as any, better than most.”
When he doesn’t approve of a decision, he shrugs and says, “Whatever floats your boat.”
To respond to a less than desirable situation, he says, “Well, it’s better than a sharp stick in your eye.”
He always wants “the whole nine yards.”
Someone acting foolishly has “lost his marbles.”

By: Etta Wilson

Etta Wilson — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:32:02 +0000

So many good idioms! It may be time to start a collection. Jean referred to being from the South in her list above, and I suspect that idioms are more used in that area–but I could be prejudiced.

By: Jean Hall

Jean Hall — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:23:17 +0000

From my childhood:

Meaner than a snake.
Behind the wood shed.
Pants a-fire.
Snatch a knot in your rear.
Rise and shine, sunshine.

I’m from the South, in case you can’t tell.

Jean
http://write2ignite.wordpress.com

By: Eva Ulian

Eva Ulian — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:15:47 +0000

Ever since I started my “Dogs and Cats” blog with idioms I seem to notice them much more now than I have ever done in a lifetime- I’ve even picked up some on this blog from your readers and used them here: http://evauliandogsandcats.blogspot.com/.
Do continue with these blogs Etta, I simply love them, full of sparks to light up one’s enthusiasm.

By: Lynn Dean

Lynn Dean — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:28:23 +0000

How about Fred Gwynne’s The King Who Rained?

By: Dayle

Dayle — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:36:40 +0000

Just a few off the top of my head:

Teach an old dog new tricks.
More than one way to skin a squirrel.
Until the cows come home.
Works like a charm.
Beat a dead horse.
Spilled the beans.
Up in flames.

By: Etta Wilson

Etta Wilson — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:13:30 +0000

Valerie, you should be writing a blog on idioms! Thanks for mentioning Jean Little’s book–so timely here at World Series time.
Etta