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 #2 (permalink) Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:52 am Phrase "tired as a newt" |
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| That expression is completely new to me. |
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Jamie (K)
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| #3 (permalink) Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:58 am Phrase "tired as a newt" |
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| Not a very good expression but "as pissed as a newt" = "very drunk" is commonly used. |
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Haihao
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| #4 (permalink) Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:15 am Phrase "tired as a newt" |
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| Haihao wrote: |
| Not a very good expression but "as pissed as a newt" = "very drunk" is commonly used. |
Hi
have to agree with Haihao, his example is common usage in Britain. Never heard any American usage, but I am not an authority on this. Sometimes;
"as Nished as a pewt" (if you are being sarcastic).
"Tired as a newt" is used but less frequently. You would hear more often;
"Tired as a dog" or "Dog tired".
You can ask the same question abouts dogs I guess concerning tiredness.
Dogs do sleep a lot though.
But as for newts they are considered quite active amphibians; maybe why some use the tiredness phrase, just an idea.
cheers stew.t.
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Stew.t.
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| #5 (permalink) Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:16 am Phrase "tired as a newt" |
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| Quote: |
| "as Nished as a pewt" (if you are being sarcastic). |
How is that sarcastic? |
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Molly
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| #6 (permalink) Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:20 am Phrase "tired as a newt" |
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It's good enough for Hansard:
Mrs Carnell: Is this a supplementary question?
MR BERRY: You might think you pull the strings on the Speaker, but I can assure you that you do not. Mr Speaker, as you referred to members as being tired, will you advise the Assembly of which members you were accusing of being tired? Or is it the case that a Liberal MLA in this chamber was as tired as a newt?
http://www.hansard.act.gov.au/hansard/welcome.htm
And the parliament of NSW:
Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is far too much interjection. I ask members to co-operate by listening to the Premier in silence. Order! I call the honourable member for Ashfield to order.
Mr FAHEY: My observations indicated that the former Minister for Police was certainly emotional and tired. In fact, it would be fair to say that the former Minister for Police was as tired as a newt. He clearly had been affected by the events of the day. In the context of that, certain things were said. He has subsequently indicated clearly the meaning that he attributed to those statements.
It's good enough for me.  |
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Molly
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| #7 (permalink) Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:21 am Phrase "tired as a newt" |
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| Quote: |
| "as Nished as a pewt" (if you are being sarcastic). |
How about "Bished as a newt"? |
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Haihao
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 Nessie
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| #9 (permalink) Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:26 pm Phrase "tired as a newt" |
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| Haihao wrote: |
| Not a very good expression but "as pissed as a newt" = "very drunk" is commonly used. |
This wouldn't be used in North America, because here "pissed" means angry. |
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Jamie (K)
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| #10 (permalink) Mon Jun 02, 2008 13:38 pm Phrase "tired as a newt" |
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| Jamie (K) wrote: |
| That expression is completely new to me. |
It is new to me, too.
| stew.t wrote: |
| "Tired as a dog" or "Dog tired". |
That's in use on this side of the pond, too.
. |
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Yankee
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Nessie
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| #12 (permalink) Wed Jun 04, 2008 16:13 pm Phrase "tired as a newt" |
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This reminds me of the first time I learned about newt in the film Matilda. There was a scene where Miss Trenchbull was 'attacked' by a newt and she kept referring to the newt as snake, so Matilda corrected her and told her that it was not a snake, but a newt.
One thing I noticed about the newt is, it was always trying to keep its head up above the water. Maybe that was what tiring it up!
Good, now I remember the expression for good  |
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NinaZara
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| #13 (permalink) Wed Jun 04, 2008 23:12 pm Phrase "tired as a newt" |
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| Jamie (K) wrote: |
| This wouldn't be used in North America, because here "pissed" means angry. |
I see. Thank you. Just to bring owls to Athens but I came across it quite often suggesting 'inebriated' in some English or Irish literature. Just my two cents. |
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Haihao
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| #14 (permalink) Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:24 am Phrase "tired as a newt" |
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1. As pissed as a newt = drunk
2. Tired and emotional = drunk (euphemism)
Thus:
3. As tired as a newt = drunk (inverted euphemism)
("Inverted" because on "newt" you reinterpret "tired" as "pissed".)
e.g. (from Google):
4. Being as tired as a newt I went to my tent and was asleep in no time at all.
The reader is expected to understand that this was a special kind of tiredness.
MrP |
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MrPedantic
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| #15 (permalink) Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:52 am Phrase "tired as a newt" |
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| MrPedantic wrote: |
1. As pissed as a newt = drunk
2. Tired and emotional = drunk (euphemism)
Thus:
3. As tired as a newt = drunk (inverted euphemism)
("Inverted" because on "newt" you reinterpret "tired" as "pissed".)
e.g. (from Google):
4. Being as tired as a newt I went to my tent and was asleep in no time at all.
The reader is expected to understand that this was a special kind of tiredness.
MrP |
Thanks for the tip. It's really informative and convincing. |
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Haihao
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| What kind of job vs. what kind of work? | someone greasing next to me? |
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. 