Watching paint dry

Posted by Lotg on July 01, 2004

In Reply to: Re: "I'd rather..." posted by Word Camel on June 27, 2004

: : : : : : There are a series of things that English speakers would rather do than the thing in question. For example:
: : : : : : rather watch paint dry
: : : : : : rather watch grass grow
: : : : : : rather have a root canal
: : : : : : .......are there any other things that are used in this context elsewhere in the English speaking world?

: : : : : I'd rather listen to nails on a blackboard.
: : : : : I'd rather have an enema

: : : : Here's one I collected at work. My coworker was watching a woman walk by and then he said:

: : : : I'D RATHER HOLD A HORSE IN THE RAIN - Said about an unattractive woman. (Kentucky man in his 60s, 2002)

: : : Thought of another one. My friend and I both lost our jobs when our department was abolished. I got a chance to go back to work but checked to make sure I wasn't taking a job from her. She said, no, she didn't want to go back. In fact, she said:

: : : I'D RATHER DIE IN MY OWN VOMIT -- Kentucky woman, 1981.

: : : OK, that's kind of gross. But you have to admit it makes her point.

: : One of my favourites -- I'd rather that you did it.

: I've heard "I'd sooner..." a bit more often. This is one of those lovely phrases that lends itself to improvisation.
: I'd sooner/rather be...
: disemboweled
: die
: flayed and put on public display

: Just insert your preference.

Ummmm... can I choose none of the above please cos they sound pretty damned awful, which I realise is the point.

But if I could revert to Ward's original example, there is apparently a show available on pay TV that is in fact about watching paint dry.

So OK, in that vein, I'd rather watch 'Big Brother', which I frankly think is more hideous than any of the aforementioned options.