Saturday, April 7, 2012

Conversation With the Boys: Figures of Speech Edition

Me, in response to a question from one of the boys: Not for all the tea in China.

J: What? What does that mean?

Me: Well, think about it. How much tea is there in China?

J: A lot?

Me: Right. And how much money is that tea worth?

J: Lots?

Me: Right. So if I say I wouldn't do something for all the tea in China, what do you think that means?

J: That you wouldn't do it even for lots of money?

Me: Right. It means that I wouldn't do it for anything.

A: You know, in Canada we should say, "not for all the deer in Canada!"

Me: Okay, here's another expression. What do you think it means to say you are doing something "till the cows come home"?

[long, thinking pause]

J: Until you get milk?

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