Track Marks

"Stopped Dead in My Tracks"

Can something stop dead? I guess a car can stop dead. And a person can stop dead. And an animal can stop dead. But isn't stopping dead saying the same thing twice? Think about it....well think about a little. I know that just stopping and dying are two things. But if you say you stopped, we all get what you mean. If you say you died, well how are you even talking to me unless you are a ghost, and if you are please let me know so I don't try to hug you.

Also, if you have some time, do a Google image search of "stopped dead in my tracks." You will see some random pictures! Like the one above this sentence.

Clam Bake

"Happy as a Clam"

Brought to you by: www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/as-happy-as-a-clam.html
"Origin"

Why would clams be happy? It has been suggested that open clams give the appearance of smiling. The derivation is more likely to come from the fuller version of the phrase, now rarely heard - 'as happy as a clam at high water'. Hide tide is when clams are free from the attentions of predators; surely the happiest of times in the bivalve mollusc world."

Why not just say, I'm happy? Or, if you really want to go the prey/predator route, how about "I'm as happy as a zebra when it escapes a potentially deadly attack by a lion in the jungle." Or: "I'm as happy as a bee after it makes a sting but before it realizes that now it's going to die."

Get Ready for a Science Rant

"Survival of the Fittest"

In googling this phrase I happily discovered this wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_of_the_fittest, of whose entirety I did not read.

But here is my rant. Survival of the fittest, in its original purpose, refers to the survival of specific genes as they are passed on through evolution. Remember the story of the story of the white moths that were in a polluted area and it was found overtime that they had become gray to still be able to hide in their environment? Or the human tail bone...even though we don't technically have a tail. It's those kinds of genes.

In no one way does it refer to people or things being stronger and therefore surviving, and just because it is stronger or in better shape does not mean it's going to survive longer. There are plenty of athletes who die young because of heart and other related conditions. Basically what I am saying is get a new phrase...like survival of those with a gun who are willing to shoot those without a gun. Or survival of those animals who are stronger and quicker and will eat animals that are weaker and slower.

"In Like Flynn"

I will no longer use this phrase....unless I am referring to something sexual...

This definition brought to you by the site: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/198700.html

Meaning

To be quickly and/or emphatically successful, usually in a sexual or romantic context.

Origin

This phrase is commonly said to be a reference to Errol Flynn, the Australian film actor. Flynn was famous for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films and for his flamboyant private life. His reputation as a hard-drinking, hell-raising ladies' man was apparently well justified, although it has doubtless been enhanced by his delight in playing up to his image.

Learning Through Osmosis

"Learning Through Osmosis"

I get this phrase. I have no question of what it's supposed to mean, however the phrase itself is completely impossible and inaccurate. Osmosis is, and I use dictionary.com here for exactness:

" the tendency of a fluid, usually water, to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution where the solvent concentration is higher, thus equalizing the concentrations of materials on either side of the membrane."

It's a diffusion of water or something fluid. This means that you cannot pass knowledge (I know it's a joke, but it's still wrong) or any other solid substance through a membrane and call it osmosis. It would be definition. I believe that who ever coined this phrase did not pay attention in science class. And don't get me started on "survival of the fittest," although I might get myself started and rant tomorrow on how incorrectly that phrase is now used.

Please, for the love of all things holy and right, stop using this phrase immediately. Do it for your science teacher, and if you hated that person then do it for me.

Safe and Sound

OK, OK by definition this phrase makes total and complete sense. But wouldn't it be more fun if you said you were safe and sound you were using the second definition below (from www.dictionary.com). For example: I just got home. I am safe and financially secure. Text in response: Um, OK. Good for you, especially considering these rough economic times.

sound

2  /saʊnd/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [sound] Show IPA adjective, -er, -est, adverb –adjective

1.	free from injury, damage, defect, disease, etc.; in good condition; healthy; robust: a sound heart; a sound mind.

2.	financially strong, secure, or reliable: a sound business; sound investments.

3.	competent, sensible, or valid: sound judgment.

4.	having no defect as to truth, justice, wisdom, or reason: sound advice.

5.	of substantial or enduring character: sound moral values.

6.	following in a systematic pattern without any apparent defect in logic: sound reasoning.

7.	uninterrupted and untroubled; deep: sound sleep.

8.	vigorous, thorough, or severe: a sound thrashing.

9.	free from moral defect or weakness; upright, honest, or good; honorable; loyal.

10.	having no legal defect: a sound title to property.

11.	theologically correct or orthodox, as doctrines or a theologian.

"That's A Horse of a Different Color"

Apparently this means "another matter entirely."

If you have two horses, say one black and one brown, don't you still have two horses? You don't have something different, just something of another color.

Says the Pot to the Kettle, "Why you gotta metal?"

"That's the Pot Calling the Kettle Black"

OK, now I know where this phrase comes from. I mean I don't know who said it first, but I do understand what it means. However, I also feel that is has become slightly outdated.

Both pots and kettles come in different colors now, so shouldn't the phrase be updated to something like, "that's the Red Cephalon pot calling the polka dotted kettle black?" I am just saying, you should really be more specific in this day and age otherwise it is just a generic statement that is describing the appearance of two things that look different while trying to say they look the same.

I also found this alternative version of the phrase:

"That's the pot bottom calling the kettle bottom black"

I would like to know who says this, as you need to turn down your stove top and stop burning your pans.

And then there is this version,
"pot, kettle, black"

I would also like to know who says this. As you are just lazy and stupid and need to start talking in full sentences.