In our last episode, , the lovely and talented Jeremy Chen broadcast on alt.usage.english: I come across two terms recently. First, parlor trick: It's ... toomany information online. Could anyone give my a lucid definition? A parlor trick is a

In our last episode, , the lovely and talented Jeremy Chen broadcast on alt.usage.english: I come across two terms recently. First, parlor trick: It's very difficult to know the exact meaning of it since there is too many information online.

They are all idioms that recognise the dexterity of human beings. We can do so much with our hands that they enter the language as metaphors. To Hand = close enough to pick up. Out of Hand = not able to be controlled (i.e. handled) Off Hand =

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In article , John Lawler (Email Removed) writes Another metaphor. Think of picking up a shovel by the flat metal part. There is also a far less savoury purported origin. Yes, you have that "sweet violets" meaning in UK, also. I think

In article , John Lawler (Email Removed) writes 5. You've got the wrong end of the stick. Another metaphor. Think of picking up a shovel by the flat metal part. There is also a far less savoury purported origin. -- Dave OSOS#24 (Email Removed)

Dio (Email Removed) writes: What about these idioms? Are them in fashion or out of fashion? Most of these are not idioms. An idiom is a phrase that is not compositional. "Compositional" means you can figure out the meaning by putting

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