hanuman_2000  +  135395 Fri, 09 Sep 05 05:02 AM Hi, 1. A mongoose is eaten up from nose to tail with curiosity. What is meaning of this sentence? Thanks. hanuman_2000 Joined on Thu, Aug 12 2004 INDIA Contributing Member 1,644

	Clive  +  135406 Fri, 09 Sep 05 05:19 AM Hi, A mongoose is eaten up from nose to tail with curiosity. A mongoose is very, very curious (about something). Another common word for 'eaten up' is 'consumed'. We often say that strong feelings, for example love or hate, 'consume' us. This sentence is OK, but it seems just a little awkward. Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,298 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

	Forbes  +  135473 Fri, 09 Sep 05 09:46 AM  Clive wrote: This sentence is OK, but it seems just a little awkward. Er...it's Rudyard Kipling. The whole sentence reads: It is the hardest thing in the world to frighten a mongoose, because he is eaten up from nose to tail with curiosity. [From Rikki-Tikki-Tavi in The Jungle Book.] Forbes Joined on Thu, Jun 16 2005 Regular Member 895

	Clive  +  135693 Fri, 09 Sep 05 10:18 PM Hi, Well, a little more context does help. However, in general, don't forget that writers from earlier generations sometimes write in a way that is not typical of modern English. Best wishes, Clive    Clive

	Forbes  +  135715 Fri, 09 Sep 05 11:59 PM I agree. ...because he is eaten up with curiosity from nose to tail reads a little better - but who are we to argue with a Nobel Prize winner? In reading the story one would not necessarily notice, but in isolation it stands out a bit. Forbes

	MrPedantic  +  135744 Sat, 10 Sep 05 01:04 AM I prefer the original – the word order keeps you curious. Mongooses have long tails; some species have long noses too. They are very active and busy, in their quest for food. It seems quite a good description to me. MrP MrPedantic Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004 Veteran Member 13,616 ...opella forensis / adducit febris... Word Order

	hanuman_2000  +  135815 Sat, 10 Sep 05 06:55 AM Hello (Mr. P), You are absolutely correct. This sentence is from Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. But what is meaning of  He is eaten up from nose to tail with curiosity. I am still confused. Please help me. Thanks. hanuman_2000

	Clive  +  135820 Sat, 10 Sep 05 07:23 AM Hi, I didn't realize you were still confused about it. It's just a stylish, colourful way of saying the mongoose is full of curiousity, it has a very curious mind. Clive Clive