As many of you probably know, I’m been enamored with the English language since I was six. Never lived in an English-speaking country, so the learning process has been like a roller coaster ride, up and down, forward and backwards. But still, the passion for the language is so strong, I keep on plowing forward. My native tongue is Spanish.
The most difficult part of the English language has been learning the ample variety of idioms, also known as idiomatic phrases, parlacences or phrasal idioms. A good dictionary worth its salt will define an idiom as: A matter of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language or the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people. Example: “The immigrants spoke an odd idiom of English.” Another meaning is: An expression whose meaning cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up.
I push myself hard to learn new English idioms by reading English books, movies, magazines and TV programs. Sometimes I will hear the phrase, jot it down in a piece of paper, and later look it up in an online dictionary. I’m amazed of how different the meaning of the idiom is from the real English words. That is what makes it so difficult to grasp if you have not lived in an English-speaking country, which is my case.
Recently I stumbled in this new idiomatic expression while surfing the Web: “Before one had nails on one’s toes.” This is what it means: Before one was born; long ago, in the distant past.
This expression refers to the fact that a baby’s toenails develop prenatally. Thus an event or other matter that occurred before a person’s toenail developed occurred before he or she was born. In its most common usage, the expression cites a younger person’s age as the basis for denigrating his status, experience, ideals, or philosophies.
“There’s Ulysses and old Nestor, whose wit and moldy ere your grandsires had nails on their toes.”—William Shakespeare.
And now you understand how difficult it has been for me to learn the language of Shakespeare. Good Day.
This was a new one to me, too. I’ve never heard it in my sixty-five years! That points to another reality – language is a living thing, always changing. There may be a place in the world where this idiom is familiar – dare I think England? But in my little corner of the world, it’s unfamiliar.
I guess even for English speakers the usefulness of idioms depends on people knowing them. It’s one reason we often get blank stares from people down here in Texas when a Yankee shows up – there are a lot of idioms in use, and they often don’t have a clue what we’re talking about. So you’re not the only one who finds idioms difficult!
Morning Linda:
It gives me great comfort knowing that I’m not the only who doesn’t understand all the English idioms out there. We have the same situation in the Spanish language. Many people from Spain would give us a hard blank stare when they listen to our Latin American idioms.
I agree that language is a living thing, always changing from time to time and from place to place.
Have a beautiful day in your neck of the woods.
Omar.-
¡METO!
And speaking of regional idioms, I am still trying to get an exact translation for this distinctly Chiricano exclamation. It is used for all manner of situations from disbelief to outrage, a truly multipurpose word. haha
Learning a language without learning the idioms is like rice with no beans, is just isn’t a complete meal.
jim and nena
fort worth
Howdy Jim and Nena:
Meto is equivalent to Gee Weez!, or Gosh! It’s an exclamation expression. You can use it in a zillion situations. It is only used in the Province of Chiriqui. In all other provinces it doesn’t mean anything.
Yep, learning idioms is a must if you really want to understand a foreign language.
Take Care,
Omar.-
This post is highly interesting to me as I have always been fascinated with idioms and don’t mind people using them even if I’m left with my mouth open in confusion.
I can relate to your sentiment on how difficult it is to learn the language of Shakespeare because I also live in a country where English isn’t the main dialect.
Nonetheless, I’m still ‘in full throttle’ trying to improve my English skills. I previously bought books on idioms which had my colleague commenting in jest “Yeah right, Marj, let’s use them until we become totally unintelligible.” Ha ha!
For fun, I made these silly mixtures:
Since time immemorial, skeletons in the closet have scared the daylight out of me.
A fish out of water drops in the bucket and eventually becomes a flash in the pan.
Just don’t talk turkey or you’ll be the talk of the town.
One bad apple hit rock bottom and gone pear-shaped.
Okay, okay,, I know I’m writing out of the back of my head. Cut me some slack though.. I’m still a wanna-be-writer.
Oh, when will I ever get my day in the sun?
Thank you for letting me share my whimsical thoughts here.
It’s an honor to have met you, Omar. Best to you..
Hi Marj:
You have made my day with your funny idioms. First time I read a mix like that. Your “whimsical thoughts” are very creative.
I just read your reply on one of my comments on your blog. Interesting to know that we share a common friend, Linda Leinen, from Task at Hand. I love her writings, they are so enlightening and inspirational.
By the way, the way you write about your son is also very tender and spiritual. I’ll bet you have a great time together.
Marjorie was from Canada and I still remember her, since she was my first crush, if you understand what I mean.
I enjoyed the motion picture “Marjorie Morningstar” when I was a teen. Natalie Wood was a very beautiful woman who had a tragic death. I understand her case has been reopened due to new evidence.
It has been an honor for me too, to meet you through our common friend, Linda. Thank you for writing to me.
Kind Regards,
Omar.-