Like Duckling listening to the thunder.

This Chinese aphorism is used to indicate that what is being said is wasted on the young – they are oblivious to the meaning but instead are only aware of the sound. It is usually used in frustration, after the advices, the teachings, the coaching, the counselling or the warnings have been repeatedly given and have been overlooked, discounted, forgotten or ignored.

Something for Nothing? Free? You must be Joking!

Is there nothing in this world that’s free, nothing at all? People are really skeptical nowadays when they see anything offered or advertised as free. Most are incredulous when they see something is offered for nothing. They suspect a trap and they usually react with total disbelief. They are not to be blamed for having such cynical attitude. For everything that has been labeled today as free has turned out to be a hoax. In nearly all areas in our lives, ‘free’ is deceptively used to capture our attention, and too many had fallen victims to such dubious claims.

But recently I personally had come across a case where everything is just what it says – that’s it is all for free! I am not joking, I wasn’t taken for a ride. I was not cheated of anything, in fact, I came away most happy.

Sudden Change in Personality.

When you are visiting a foreign land and happen to find yourself getting a good bargain for the things you are buying how do you normally feel? Do you feel exhilarated and just relish your good fortune, or do you feel proud of your  haggling skill?   Or are you just grateful that the strength your country’s currency is strong that it could give you this advantage?

“Soap Opera” … How did it originate?

Back to Tony Wootton and Gwen Zantottera and their book,  ” By Hook and by Crook “. The saying taken for post today is ” Soap Opera” which should be familiar to most, as television stations the world over are spending millions upon millions to outdo each other to gain top spots for their own ’soap operas’.

‘Sleep Tight’ … How did it originate?

It has been quite some time that I have taken something from the book “By Hook or by Crook” to pass it along. Today the phrase is “Sleep Tight” and Tony Wootton and Gwen Zonzotterra explain:-

“Stop Gap” … How did it originate?

Here Tony and Gwen, tell us how this phrase came about. For those new to my blog, Tony Wootton and Gwen Zanzottera are the authors of the book, “By Hook or by Crook” from which this and many of the phrases that I’ve posted were taken.  Pick up a phrase and know how it originated.

“Spooning” … How did it originate?

Here we see Tony Wootton and Gwen Zanzottera give their take on the phrase – “Spooning”. You can get explanations for many more of the English sayings in their book, “By Hook or by Crook”. I got the book when I visited Stratford-upon-Avon last August.

“Teetotal” … how did it originate?

From their book -”By Hook Or By Crook”- Tony Wootton and Gwen Zanzottera bring us the origin of “Teetotal”. From it you can see even a ’stutter’ can contribute something of universal usage. It is very interesting, read on.

Allowing Embarassment to turn into Anger

In our daily lives, there are countless occasions when we let embarrassment turns into anger. In more instances than we care to admit, we intentionally allow it to become so. This aphorism has something valuable for us, let us read on.

Malacca in Full Splendor.

During the Chinese New Year period, Historic Malacca was all decked out in its best for all – the locals and the visitors.

Skillful craftsmen from China were invited here to construct this beautiful and huge dragon for display and to bring the real feel of the Chinese Festival to the City. It certainly achieved  the objective admirably.

“Swinging The Lead” …. how did it originate?

We turn to Tony Wootton and Gwen Zanzottera again to help out. In their book -’By Hook Or By Crook’ – they tell us how this English phrase came into being. Let us learn the origin of another phrase.

What is most feared is coming true in the US.

Following Obama’s election as president there was a pervasive feeling of euphoria in the US. But behind this feeling is the people’s hope of better things to come.  They were celebrating the chance for change. They were sick of being despised as a nation around the world and they want to regain their past glory. The gloom of the advancing economic crisis were hanging over their heads and they felt Obama is the one who can best deliver this change.

Tens of Thousands are losing their Jobs Daily.

It is sad to see things are getting worse and worse by the days instead of better. This depressing scenario is being played out in every country around the globe. Today, even President Obama admits that the problems facing the United States are worse and more complicated than he himself had anticipated.

Paying Homage and being Thankful.

Today every Hokkien (those originating from Fujian province in China) household around the world will be busy making preparations to pray to the Jade Emperor God. Tonight they will pray to the god, paying homage to him, thanking him for saving the Hokkien race from annihilation and for the good things they have enjoyed over the past year. Legend has it that to escape being wiped out by a persecuting general the Hokkien ancestors went into the sugar-cane plantation to hide. The day they emerged from hiding fell on the Jade Emperor God’s birthday, each year after that all Hokkien mark the day with prayers and paying homage to the Emperor God.

Wherever you may wander…

Many young people of college age are now departing their hometowns and leaving their parents to complete their studies.  For many, this will be the first time they will be staying on their own, away from total parental supervision. They will having their first taste of freedom. Now they can do what they want, be with who they wish, free to choose when to study and when not to study. They can now choose to sleep to their hearts content, and are free to strew their clothes all over the room. There will not be anyone around to check on how late they stay out, or what time they go to bed.  They are their own masters now, no one at all to pester them to study. And free from any requests to help around or to run errands for dads and moms.