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#2 (permalink) Mon May 15, 2006 6:33 am Meaning of 'Lowest common denominator' |
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Hi Tom
The "lowest common denominator" is the most basic element of a situation or relationship.
In your example the hero needed to have work done. The hero hired the heroine to do the work. The heroine did the work. So, the most basic element here is the idea of "exchanging money for work" or "paying". Technically speaking, saying "thank you" is not absolutely necessary. It's more or less a nice "extra". And although saying thank you might be the socially correct thing to do, ultimately the most basic requirement is for the hero to pay the heroine's bill.
Hope that helps.
Amy |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#3 (permalink) Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:28 am Meaning of 'Lowest common denominator' |
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So can we also say:
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Do you always have to reduce things to the least common denominator. Do you always have to reduce things to the lcd. |
How common is the idiomatic use of lowest common denominator among the native speakers? Would a native speaker who is not a language teacher understand this use easily?
Many thanks,
Tom |
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Tom I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2061
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Lost_Soul I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 1861 Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
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#5 (permalink) Fri Jul 04, 2008 18:04 pm Meaning of 'Lowest common denominator' |
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| Tom wrote: |
So can we also say:
| Quote: |
Do you always have to reduce things to the least common denominator. Do you always have to reduce things to the lcd. |
How common is the idiomatic use of lowest common denominator among the native speakers? Would a native speaker who is not a language teacher understand this use easily?
Many thanks,
Tom |
Hi Tom
I'd say 'lowest common denominator' is a very well-known expression. However, if I heard someone say 'LCD', the first meaning I would think of is 'liquid crystal display'.  . |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#6 (permalink) Fri Jul 04, 2008 18:50 pm Meaning of 'Lowest common denominator' |
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Hi tom,
The phrase actually originates in mathematics, where the lowest common denominator is the smallest multiple in common between the denominators of fractions. Denominator in mathematics refers to the bottom number of a fraction.
For example, with the fraction 1/2, 2 is the denominator. So the lowest (also called the least) common denominator between 1/2 and 1/3 is 6. This is used in adding or subtracting fractions. The job is to find the smallest multiple they have in common.
As you can see, if you're given a list of fractions, it can be a rather tedious job to find this denominator.
So, outside of mathematics, the expression has become an idiom meaning to break things down to the smallest part, or to concentrate on the smaller details.
As Yankee explained, the fact that the heroine unnecessarily points out the fact that she's just doing a job is kind of unnecessary. It also conveys a sense of sarcasm.
The hero's final comment is sort of a complaint or protest against her sarcasm, or the fact that's she's really only worried about the money, or views the fact that she's done the hero such a big favor was meaningless, i.e. she was just doing her job. _________________ Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
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Did you hear they arrested the Energizer Bunny on battery charges?
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Skrej I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 863 Location: Not-quite exact central USA
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