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Stones

Posted by Smokey Stover on October 13, 2004

In Reply to: Stones posted by Lotg on October 13, 2004

: : : CSI scene: CSI team are watching a security video taken of a big tough looking guy gambling in a casino. They notice that a little guy standing next to him keeps ripping off his chips under his nose. Eventually the big guy notices and threatens to flatten the little guy.

: : : Jorja Fox says, "This guy's got stones taking on a big guy like that".

: : : Obviously this is an equivalent of 'he's got guts or balls to take on a guy like that'. But why 'stones'? Is this a metaphor for testicles?

: : Yes I believe so, cf "rocks". It may be an abbreviation/corruption of "balls of stone/like stones", which itself brings up the very similar expression "balls of steel".

: Balls of steel - hmmm scary thought. Oh and BTW, my apologies - I should have said "CSI team 'IS' watching a security video...", not 'are watching'.

Don't apologize for "the team are watching." That's very British, and quite acceptable, even here in the U.S. (Notice how I eschew the opportunity for a sour political joke.) And TF is, of course, right about stones. SS

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