Fiddling while Rome burns

Posted by LCC - Learned Contributions Committee on December 09, 1999

In Reply to: Fiddling while Rome burns posted by bluebaron on December 08, 1999

: In this case, the fiddling is euphemistic, but the burning actual. Refers to the Emperor Nero, who "fiddled around" while Rome actually was burning.

For such erudition we may award a prize, but not yet.

I have a direct modern equivalent 'Pissing down with rain'

In this case, the pissing is euphemistic, but the raining actual. Refers to the fact that the rain is falling in steady streams and not a series of separated droplets.

• Fiddling while Rome burns--Reply to LCC bluebaron 12/09/99
  • Fiddling while Rome burns--Reply to LCC LCC 12/10/99
    • More in sadness that in anger LCC 12/10/99
      • More in sadness that in anger---Reply to LCC bluebaron 12/10/99