phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

"All the depth . . ."

Posted by Bookworm on October 16, 2002

In Reply to: "All the depth . . ." posted by R. Berg on October 16, 2002

: : : : : : There is a sarcastic expression, now a bit dated, used like this: "his analysis had all the depth of a saltine cracker". This is a U.S. expression. I wonder what similar phrases have developed in other parts of the English speaking world, and also what more recent ones may have developed in America. Thanks! - Patty

: : : : : I'm not sure this counts, but when Denis Healey, was Chancellor of the Exchequer, Geoffrey Howe, a Tory attacked his budget proposals in parliament. Healey said it was "rather like being savaged by a dead sheep." I always rather liked that one.

: : : : Howe got his own back on Healey by saying a beating from Denis was like "being cherished by a dead savage."

: : : Hmmm... Interesting stuff. But the phrase I brought up is more sarcastic toward the reasoning or the argument, more a matter of a lack of profundity (shallowness) in something put forward. The phrases suggested so far are more ad hominem, I think. Maybe I'm more interested in phrases refering to shallow expressions or statements, of which even intelligent people are sometimes guilty. - Patty

: : I see your point. The only think I can think of - at least in my own experience is the expression, "That's a no-brainer." As a response to a very poor argument or proposal. I don't think that's quite what you mean though. Given the state of debate both here and in the UK, you'd think there would be more expressions for this.

: Maybe the state of brains explains why there aren't.

Interesting. I've always used "no-brainer" when one choice was so much better or obvious than another that it was a "no-brainer" to choose it.

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.