There is an expression in England that has always made me laugh, for some peculiar reason, even though it is the most pointless of said expressions in use today.
“As daft as a brush” Translation: As silly or stupid as a brush It’s not really an insult as it is mostly used affectionately. However, up until one hears that expression one is not particularly aware that brushes are silly or stupid. Whilst it is true that very few brushes will hold a conversation of any pith or moment they do do their job reasonably well. Ergo, something is happening among those bristles?
Point then; is there a moment in history wherein brushes displayed inordinate stupidity to be thus vilified by the Brits for all eternity? Or; did someone choose to test a series inanimate objects and discovered that brushes were above all other utensils and tools notably more dense than others?
Of course we are talking the Britannic world here; a world over burdened with slang, sayings and expressions that include: “laughing like a drain.” and “Bobs ya Uncle” the previous is quite sensible if you have ever stopped to tell a drain a joke. The later, of course, is similar in meaning to Voila! Obvious when you think about it.
Should I delve deeper into this secret world of British expressionism or will I regret it?
You will regret it. I mean you haven’t even touched upon rhyming slang yet. Then you have to think about words that mean one thing in Canada and quite the opposite in the UK. I think slang in the UK could be a lifetime project. Most of it though seems to be an innuendo of some kind so as long as you put yourself in the mindset of a total pervert then you are all set. 🙂