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Another popular example

Posted by Word Camel on January 05, 2003

In Reply to: Meaning and origin posted by Bruce Kahl on January 05, 2003

: : Hello all,

: : i've seen the X-MEN, and I saw in a piece of paper wrote :

: : "Tipping is NOT
: : a City in Chine"

: : Anyone ?

: : Thanks in advance !

: Your phrase is a not too subtle suggestion to leave some cash to the provider of some service in the form of a tip--usually seen in saloons.
: It is playing off the -ing endings in many Asian cities--Peking, Kunming, Chongqing, Bejing etc.

"Denial ain't just a river in Egypt." This example uses the similarity between the way the name of the river, "The Nile" and the theraputic term "denial" sound when spoken. It is a humourous way of saying that some one refuses to see what is obvious to every one else, usually as a way of protecting himself from the pain the truth would cause.

Here's a little more context:

"Junior weighs as much as a grown man even though he is only ten. He has second and third helpings at meals. In between meals he snacks on chocolate bars and cake. His mother insists he isn't fat; he just has big bones."

"Ha! She is living proof that denial ain't just a river in Egypt."

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