Sofia101  +  54742 Thu, 11 Nov 04 12:50 PM Hi I heard the expression: "I would not touch that with a pole" What does that mean? thanks Sofia Sofia101 Joined on Wed, Aug 18 2004 New Member 21

	Mister Micawber  +  54753 Thu, 11 Nov 04 02:35 PM The expression is usually extended to "I would not touch that with a ten-foot pole" , Sofia, and it means that I really do not want to go near 'it' (whatever it is), either physically or metaphorically. 'That fellow is so ugly that I wouldn't touch him with a 10-foot pole.' 'That topic is so controversial that I wouldn't touch it (i.e. talk about it) with a 10-foot pole.' Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,787 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

	MrPedantic  +  54787 Thu, 11 Nov 04 05:31 PM Hello Sofia and Mr M There's also: 'I wouldn't touch it with a barge-pole'. This is very common in the UK. I believe barge-poles are also usually about 10ft long. (Though I'd welcome corrections from any passing bargees.) MrP MrPedantic Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004 Veteran Member 12,592 ...opella forensis / adducit febris...