Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Expression

~ John W. Howell

So the idea is to open a book randomly and then, without looking, point to a page. The word or words nearest the pointing figure is the prompt. Today I opened The Last Drive to page 201, and my finger landed on “expression.”

Expression by John W. Howell © 2023

“Say that again.”

“Like a duck on a Junebug.”

“What’s that supposed to mean.”

“It’s an expression for someone leaping at opportunity quickly.”

“Where did it come from?”

“I suppose someone watched a duck go after a Junebug and put the expression together.”

“I have another question.”

“Shoot.”

“Will everyone understand the expression?”

“What do you mean?”

“Unless you saw a duck go after a Junebug, it would be hard to visualize.”

“That’s where imagination takes over.”

“You need to explain that.”

“I don’t think someone would have to have seen a duck go after a Junebug to imagine how fast it would be.”

“And the idea that the Junebug is such a tasty treat that the duck would be quick.”

“Now you got it.”

“Horse pucky.”

“Huh?”

“You ever taste a Junebug?”

“Can’t say I ever have.”

“Well, I was doing some gliding, and one hit me in the mouth. The worst thing I ever tasted.”

“So?”

“Using a duck for an expression without consulting a duck takes poetic license too far. ”

“You are now nitpicking the expression.”

“The expression has no nits cause it has no fleas.”

“You are picking fly specs out of pepper.”

“Who does that?”

“Given our conversation, you would be capable, but it’s just an expression.”

“All these expressions are not based on fact.”

“No, but imagine someone doing those things.”

“Beyond my capabilities.”

“Why?”

“Cause I’m a duck. You should know that ’cause you’re one too.”

“I keep forgetting.”

“Gotta stop reading blogs.”

“I think you’re right. So let’s hit the pond.”

 

 

62 thoughts on “Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Expression”

  1. Never heard that phrase before. For some reason I first imagined a duck standing in a June-bug.

    Uh, my phone just tried to change duck to the other word. All these years of it trying to make me write duck and it stops me when I actually do it.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Anthropomorphic flat billed aquatic avians alluding to tasty crunching critters ! What room did I wake up in ? Did you want that June Bug stir-fried or al dente ?

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  14. That was a great expression. I could see it. Here’s one of Billy Battles’ pet expressions: “He was grinnin’ like a skunk eatin’ cabbage in the moonlight.”

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  16. I suppose all language is full of expressions that somehow don’t make much sense. Some of them were likely coined ages ago, when everybody would’ve understood them; over time, they’ve lost their meaning. It’s kind of a pity, really, don’t you think?

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  22. It could have nits if it has lice!!! I love that expression re the duck and the June bug, by the way. Is that a country expression? Southern? Some of the stuff I learned as a kid in Michigan from my mom began to seem so country, but then I am recently realizing LOTS of people learned those same expressions. No example comes to mind though.

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