Guest  +  110081 Fri, 17 Jun 05 08:01 PM Hi, I think that we're looking for someone who has seen one too many Bela Lugosi movies. Does it mean same if the expression was phrased as: I think that we're looking for someone who has seen to many Bela Lugosi movies. What is the word 'one' doing there of the first example? Already a member Guest

	Mister Micawber  +  110171 Sat, 18 Jun 05 02:04 AM 'One' is not necessary, but the phrase 'one too many' is a common one, used for effect, suggesting that the subject of 'one too many whatevers' has gone over the edge in some way. In this case (it sounds like a murder mystery), the person they are searching for has begun acting like one of the monsters that Bela is famous for portraying. Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,807 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

	CalifJim  +  110202 Sat, 18 Jun 05 05:09 AM "too many" by itself expresses a number more than required or necessary, but it doesn't say how many more than the necessary number is involved. Therefore, you can have one too many (one more than the necessary number) two too many (two more than the necessary number) three too many (three more ...) and so on. When you only have "one too many" you have a situation where just one instance tipped the balance and took the situation over the edge, as Mr. M. has explained. See also "the straw that broke the camel's back" to get a general feel for what "one too many" means. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,447 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Roro  +  110209 Sat, 18 Jun 05 07:36 AM Hello Guest, MisterMicawber, CalifJim. Excellent instruction! It's helpful. I didn't know these expressions. I can use them from now on. I have a question. Yesterday or so I quoted the following sentence in another thread: here I feel my voice rising to a much too strident pitch. Seems I didn't understand this sentence properly. Is this sentence of the same type? That is, I feel my voice rising to a (much too strident) pitch. Right? Thank you for your help, in advance. Roro Roro Joined on Mon, Apr 11 2005 Regular Member 581

	Mister Micawber  +  110281 Sat, 18 Jun 05 02:14 PM I'm far too busy to do much more than guess (perhaps a little too briefly), Roro-- but there do seem to be not a few similarities. Mister Micawber

	Roro  +  110289 Sat, 18 Jun 05 02:38 PM ... oh ... It took me almost 5 minutes or more to understand what you mean, Mister Micawber... I'd better avoid such a much too rhetorical construction. (??) Thank you! Roro Constructions

	Mister Micawber  +  110299 Sat, 18 Jun 05 02:50 PM On the contrary, I was suggesting that such constructions are rather common, Roro. There's probably a guideline somewhere about them; I just don't know where it is at the moment. MM Mister Micawber Constructions

	Roro  +  110328 Sat, 18 Jun 05 03:39 PM Hello Mister Micawber. They are rather common..? I just have to get accustomed to them! Because it was really difficult for me to see the meaning! I really appreciate your instructions. Roro