Reader Opinions
Paul Jonah – (the devil is beating his wife) April 18, 2022
I was raised in New Brunswick, Canada and my parents used thus expression a lot. There are many Pennsylvania Dutch ( Deutsch) as well as Scottish/ Irish in the area. It was always used when there was a sun shower.
Sharon – (the devil is beating his wife) April 10, 2022
Family from lower Mississippi and Louisiana. I heard, “Devil is beating his wife for putting salt in the red beans.” 🙂
Ora Stevens – (chew the fat) April 9, 2022
Chewing the fat was supposedly from Indian natives chewing hides to soften it for leather uses.
Lanna Banana MooMoo – (keep your nose clean) April 8, 2022
This idiom has, unsurprisingly, turned into slang for cocaine. Essentially meaning “you need to keep your nose clean so lay off cocaine” ~Or~ “you shouldn’t try cocaine. Instead you should keep your nose clean.” ~Or~ “cocaine is a difficult addition to break so it’s to just keep your nose clean.”
Anonymous – (hot potato) April 7, 2022
How did the phrase turn into a children’s game?
Roberta – (broken heart) April 6, 2022
I loved this website!
It not only answered my question but I fell in love with it 🙂
Rie-Season – (keep your friends close and your enemies closer) April 2, 2022
It is my designated time to take upon my duties to help others to think! I first had to journey my own soul! I’m in the right place and I’m greater knowing that someone relates to the understanding of friend / enemy and how to disperse yourself. I’m elated knowing the patience, betrayal, hindrance, forgiveness and all the endurances one may have encountered! Looking at it just from a positive perspective it’s like fresh fruit and a new start!
Tadashi Sakuda – (do one’s bit) April 2, 2022
I just wanted to share with you that I heard this idiom used in their conversation between Kiri Te Kanawa and Andre Previn about 22 years ago in Tokyo, Japan.
Arnold Caines – (a fool and his money are easily parted) April 1, 2022
My counterpart to this idiom is, “It is morally reprehensible to allow a fool and his money to remain together.” The idea being that a fool with money will do stupid things, hurting himself and/or others.
Example: The guy just wrecked his brand new Lamborghini. Well, I guess it’s morally reprehensible to allow a fool and his money to remain together.
Lesa – (the devil is beating his wife) March 26, 2022
My 89 year old next door neighbor from Oklahoma is who told me about the devil beating his wife saying. She passed away last year. Today the devil beat his wife here where I live and I thought of my sweet neighbor. I sure miss her!
