And Then There's This...For Those More Likely to Say 'Jaw Dropping' Than 'Astounding'
“I sing the body electric,” said Walt Whitman.
“I sing the body figurative,” says me. So stick with me.
Have you ever noticed how many figures of speech — comparisons and descriptions — are based on parts of our bodies? Well I have. And because I have copious spare time and no gainful employment, I sometimes let my mind wander into strange territory — like conjuring up a cocktail party at which all the guests are spouting body-based images. Come with me, then, as we thread through the crowd to overhear snatches of their anatomical badinage.
“Well look who's here! You're a sight for sore eyes.”
“This Brie is mouth watering.”
“I'd go so far to say it's lip smacking good.”
“I think I’ll just stand here at the bar for a while and rubberneck.” “A gin or vodka martini? Now there's a headscratcher.”
“It's bone chilling in here.”
“And the music is ear splitting.” “Here comes Meg with another chin music solo.”
“She's the queen of bellyaching.”
“I try not to get down in the mouth about it.”
“It was a round robin of finger pointing.”
“Enough of this hand wringing. Are you in or out?”
“Don't get cold feet on me now.”
“He's an absolute knuckle-dragger.”
“That documentary on snake-handling was hair raising.” “It was a nail biter for sure.” “Her only exercise is elbow bending.” “The judge let him off with a tongue lashing.” “Really it was just a slap on the wrist.” “I understand her Ph. D. was in navel gazing.” “That movie gets a solid thumbs up..” “She’s rather cheeky about cheating.”
“You know me. I'm always ready with a soft shoulder.”
“Can a soft shoulder have a chip on it?”
“They're knee deep into spiritualism.”
“While he was browbeating me, I just sat there grinding my teeth.”
“His brown nosing is legendary.” “
They caught him flat footed.”
“See you tomorrow. I gotta get some shut eye.”
(Please send your comments or questions to stormcoast@mindspring.com with “And Then There's This” in the subject line. Thank you for reading.)
