for a stiff like that

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Angliholic

#534183 Sun, 29 Jun 08 02:11 PM

I can't believe Trina left you for a stiff like that. The only punch that guy ever threw was in a glass.

Hi,
Does "stiff" in the above refer to a "bum" or a 'drunkard?"
Besides, what does the bolded line mean? Thanks.

Angliholic

Joined on Wed, Feb 14 2007

SomewhereinFormosa

Senior Member (4,977)

Without true love, life is meaningless and worthless since our physical world is nothing but a dream. ~~Angliholic~~簡瑞達

Clive

#534217 Sun, 29 Jun 08 03:00 PM

Hi,
I can't believe Trina left you for a stiff like that. The only punch that guy ever threw was in a glass.

Does "stiff" in the above refer to a "bum" or a 'drunkard?" 'Stiff' is one of many very general and derogatory ways of referring to a person. Other words, for example, are 'jerk', 'bozo'. In this case, perhaps the speaker does indeed refer to drinking, because of the reference to alcohol in the next sentence.

Besides, what does the bolded line mean?

'Punch' can mean 'a hit with a fist' or a certain kind of mixed drink, which is often alcoholic.
'To throw a punch' is a common idiom meaning 'to try to hit someone with your fist'. Or it could mean throwing the contents of your glass of punch at someone. In other words, the speaker is making a little joke by referring to both meanings. The suggestion is that the person being spoken of is a drinker of alcohol.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (20,469)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

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