Writer's Block: Idiomatic Confusion

[packbat]

Whether it's a canary in the coal mine or a waitress in the weeds, idiomatic expressions can sometimes stump us even in our own language. What common expression puzzles you the most? View other answers

"Your money's no good here" is a pretty confusing one - took me a while to twig to that one. (It means, "It's on the house". Edit: Okay, so it's ambiguous.)

(That said, I totally had to look up the waitress in the weeds.)

Comments

[dclarion.livejournal.com]

It means, "It's on the house".

No, it doesn't. It means "Your money is not legal tender here, and you can't buy anything with it, no matter how much you have." I believe that this might be a reference to the time when multiple currencies were in circulation in the US. The currency in use in a given area would most likely be that of the nation from which most immigrants had come -- pounds Sterling in New England or Spanish dollars in Florida, for example. It would be easy, then, to practice discrimination by rejecting certain currencies. Today, the meaning has mutated to that of "I won't sell you my wares because I don't like you, so get out."

[ceruleanst.livejournal.com]

Depending on the context, it can mean "You can't buy anything because I don't like you" or "You don't have to pay for anything because I like you." The latter is a joke on the former, and is probably more common now.

[toya121.livejournal.com]

Never worked in a restaurant huh? I think everyone should work in one for at least three months... It makes one better appreciate what they do;) it always makes one a better tipper too!

[packbat.livejournal.com]

I have nothing but the highest respect for good restaurant workers - I don't think I could do their job. I always tip 15% or more.