Posted by Bluebaron on December 09, 1999
In Reply to: Re: Fiddling while Rome burns posted by LCC - Learned Contributions Committee on December 09, 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'
...the riposte, while witty, is more rude than erudite, I humbly submit...and much too literal
: 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.