When Mrs. Hughes says "he's past minding if we put him in a shy and threw coconuts"
(about Thomas in the bathtub)
Had Thomas been drinking? It sounds like they might have put him in the tub to sober up.
I do hope he won't upset Henry...
Didn't Mrs. Hughes say that when they were taking Thomas out of the bathtub after he tried to kill himself? I took it to mean he wouldn't care about modesty when he was in that condition.
"It's sad when some try to make themselves look good by trying to make others look bad."
A "coconut shy" is a traditional sideshow type of game at fairs, "shy" meaning toss. Wooden balls are thrown (shied) to try to knock coconuts off of posts. It seems that Mrs. H changed up the terminology a bit as she'd prefer throwing something larger at Thomas!
shareSpot on Salice. A quirky English fairground pastime. The best bit is that you win a coconut if you manage to knock one off!
I wonder if there are other phrases or words that flummox people in JF scripts? [Like 'flummox' for example?]
BritGirl
"Don't change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love you."
If English fairgrounds are anything like American carnivals, the coconuts have a little "assistance" in staying on the posts - until whoever's working with the guy running the sc- uh, the *game* strolls up and easily wins a huge prize!
shareThey did something like that in the Series 3 Christmas Special where Daisy won a gold coin (not sure what it was worth) after she managed to win a game at the Thirsk fair. After she left, the guy running the game hollered at his assistant for not "fixing" it.
shareIt was a gold sovereign, which was worth 20 shillings (or 1 pound) of gold from what I've read. I could be completely wrong on the value, however, so someone who's an expert on coins can feel free to correct me there. I'd love to know, personally.
He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.
I wonder if there are other phrases or words that flummox people in JF scripts? [Like 'flummox' for example?]
[deleted]
It was used in American English in the early-mid 20th Century, when Kipling was held in much higher esteem.
shareI wonder if there are other phrases or words that flummox people in JF scripts?
Carson was using an old saying that sometimes uses "goat" instead of "sheep." It’s a justification or excuse for going on to commit some greater offence once you have already committed a minor one.
"In for a penny, in for a pound" expresses something similar. If you have done something small, you might as well do something bigger.
Thanks for clarifying that.
shareThere ARE other phrases I don't know
S1 E2
1. Mrs. Crawley to the Dr. "I'm afraid it's a case of the warhorse and the drum"
2. Miss O'Brien about Matthew "if anyone thinks I'm going to pull my forelock and curtsy to this Mr. Nobody..."
3. Mary talking lawyers "we all need crossing sweepers and draymen too"
Well mecham I'm a Brit and I don't have much of a clue about those either! JF does seem to use some phrases that were common at the time.
2 - Tugging forelock - people were supposed to remove their hats and tug the front of their hair in the presence of someone of a higher rank. I think it is a sign that you respect them??? I dunno!
3 - I do know that crossing sweepers used to sweep away horse poo from roads so people could cross the road without stepping in it. Draymen were people who delivered beer to pubs I think.
More than that I cannot tell you.
Try googling?
BritGirl
"Don't change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love you."
1. Mrs. Crawley to the Dr. "I'm afraid it's a case of the warhorse and the drum"
2. Miss O'Brien about Matthew "if anyone thinks I'm going to pull my forelock and curtsy to this Mr. Nobody..."You can actually see this at one point when Violet has her car stop so she can speak to Old Mr. Molesley - he comes over to the car. whips off his cap, and pulls on the front piece of his hair in total obeisance. I wonder what men did who were bald, or worse, wore toupees?
3. Mary talking lawyers "we all need crossing sweepers and draymen too"
You learn something everyday! Thanks!
BritGirl
"Don't change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love you."