Roses and thorns

Posted by ESC on February 11, 2004

In Reply to: Inquiry about [picks and pans] posted by Bob on February 11, 2004

: : Dear Friends:

: : As I found a popular word "picks and pans", which is commonly seen in online magazines or reviews, but I couldn't find the definition in any dictionary (either the real one or the virtual one online).

: : Would you please kindly show me the meanings/definitions of the "picks and pans", together with 2 or 3 examples of usages for me?

: : Thanks very much in advance!

: : Charles2Smart
: : :)

: : ----------
: : PS:
: : As far as I can "IMAGINE" (sorry, English is NOT my mother tongue), the "picks and pans" might be suggesting something like "good and bad", "likes and dislikes", in which the "PICKS" is referred to something positive, while the "PANS" is referred to something negative! Is it right???????????

: Yes, you're very close. To pick (choose) is to select approvingly. To pan (slang for disapprove) is to reject. A movie reviewer may pan a bad movie.

And sometimes magazines get cute with it and have something like "roses and thorns," etc.

• Darts & Laurels ESC 11/February/04
  • Trying to make a list of (Picks and Pans) thesauri charles2smart 11/February/04
    • Thumb-ups and Thumb-downs charles2smart 11/February/04
      • Orchids and onions Bob 12/February/04
        • Cheers and Jeers Brian from Shawnee 12/February/04