Rearanging the deck chairs on the titanic
Posted by Tempo on October 20, 2002
In Reply to: Rearanging the deck chairs on the titanic posted by Word Camel on October 18, 2002
After posting this message, I checked its origin out :
"The unsinkable
RMS Titanic left Southampton enroute to New York on April 10th 1912. Shortly before
midnight on April 14th, the ship collided with an iceberg which pierced its hull.
About two hours later, the ship sank. The story goes that as the ship was sinking,
the band played "Nearer My God to Thee" on the deck, and that a number of passengers
either played cards or exercised in the ship's gymnasium."To arrange deck chairs
on the Titanic", or "To rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic" is used in English
to mean a futile or pointless activity."
I wonder whether it can be used in everyday situation other than business one you've mentioned.
: : What is the exact meaning of this phrase?
: : I really appreciate your help.
: I believe the it is an analogy meant to illustrate the futility of concentrating on the trivial details of some enterprise that is ultimately doomed or in the midst of some serious crisis that can not be overcome.