WM 2010

[snarly]

Well, OK. Enough now. After all we don't want to bore the others.

I agree with you!
This thread has become a discussion between you and me!

[Keswick]

Lost! The octopus was right.

[Alex2010]

Lost! The octopus was right.

Yes, he was right. Nevertheless I think this world championship is not just a flash in the pan. It was an amazing appearance of the german soccer team.

[Keswick]

What does "flash in a pan" mean? Never heard that one before.

Yeah the Germans did fairly well but last night's match was so boring that I switched channels after the first half and watched "The secret life of cows" on BBC 2. No joke!

[Alex2010]

What does "flash in a pan" mean? Never heard that one before.

Oh, I learned it a few days ago.

"to be just a flash in the pan"

Nur ein kurzlebiger Erfolg sein; eine Eintagsfliege sein.
Der Ausdruck hat nichts mit Bratpfannen zu tun. Er stammt von dem Pulverbehälter (pan) eines alten Steinschloßgewehrs, der mit einem spektakulären Aufflackern versagt, ohne den Schuß abzugeben. Die Fehlzündung eines solchen unzuverlässigen Gewehrs ist der Inbegriff eines erfolgversprechenden Anfangs, der im Nu verpufft.

The good marks in Biology in Susan's school report were just a flash in the pan.

© Idioms im Griff - Ronald Lister / Klemens Veth, 5 Auflage 2008, Seite 86

[Duckduck]

Hihi Keswick,

I just looked it up myself and it means "Eintagsfliege". Never heard it before, though, same as you.

Are we losing touch with modern English?

Duckduck

[Keswick]

Hi Alex, hi Duckduck,

I just asked my three English colleagues who are working in my department with me and neither of them has ever heard this expression before. So it is either very old or not used in this area. I mean there are expressions that are not used in all regions. We use a couple of expressions up here that people in London wouldn't understand, for example "it's hoying it down".

[Duckduck]

Yes, but would you believe it: it's even on the list of the most popular idioms:


http://www.goenglish.com/idioms.asp


Thanks, Alex, for teaching us something new today!

Duckduck

[Keswick]

Aye! Learn something new every day. That's great .

Thank you Alex!

[Alex2010]

Thanks, Alex, for teaching us something new today!

I taught you something?
Sorry, it just sounds so incredible.

However, back to the cows.

... I switched channels after the first half and watched "The secret life of cows" on BBC 2. No joke!

I hope you enjoyed it.
Does anyone look forward to the match against Uruguay on Saturday? By the way, I think I am going to eat octopus this afternoon.

[Keswick]

Oh aye, it was interesting Alex. They looked into the social connections of cows, among them the Chillingham cattle, a completely wild cattle! Beautiful animals! They're white and the closest connection to the original cattle in Europe.

Anyway.. no I won't watch the match on Saturday to be honest. I won't be home anyway. I talked to a colleague via mail this morning (she is in a different department in the building) and asked her what she thought about the match and about the "Okrakel". Her reply included a link to a website with a recipe for "Greek Octopus and Onion stew" .. well that doesn't need an explanation now, does it?

I seriously hope that Spain win the cup. Isn't it their first final ever?

[snarly]

I seriously hope that Spain win the cup. Isn't it their first final ever?

Hey Keswick!
I hope that Netherlands win!
Because they've made it to the finals 3 times and never won! - The deserve to win!

Spain has just won the Euro 2008.

[caro64]

Such a a shame that Germany didn't make it but the good thing is, that my kids got a good night sleep without being woken up by all those stupid people who think that when Germany wins a football match (any!) they have to go out in the streets making as much noise as they can, either with vuvuzellas, car horns, fireworks (YES! fireworks, after the England game! ridiculous) or their big mouths. I sound like an old nagging battle axe I know I do, but, still I just think it's so selfish. I mean not everyone's lives revolve around football. How would they like it if I drove my car through the streets, beeping my horn and shouting out the window everytime Hildegard Tauber wins a knitting competition. Is it the same everywhere? what about England? or other parts of Germany? what have the rest of you witnessed after a win for Germany/England? I think Spain'll win. It's not fair to say they shouldn't win cus they won the Euro 08. It's not as if their asking for a hand out now is it?
By the way "flash in the pan" must be a southern thing then, cus I've heard and used it loads of times.
Bye for now
Caro x who thinks octopus tastes disgusting and wonders if "hoying it down" means the same as "pouring down"?

[Keswick]

Caro x who thinks octopus tastes disgusting and wonders if "hoying it down" means the same as "pouring down"?

Yes it does!!

[Alex2010]

Oh aye, it was interesting Alex. They looked into the social connections of cows, among them the Chillingham cattle, a completely wild cattle! Beautiful animals! They're white and the closest connection to the original cattle in Europe.

I cannot share your enthusiasm for cows Keswick. I do not mean to offend you.
I hope the heat has nothing to do with this your interest in these animals.

Because they've made it to the finals 3 times and never won! - The deserve to win!
Spain has just won the Euro 2008.

That's a feeble argument. We should all focus on "Paul" and wait for his decision before pass an opinion, shouldn't we?