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Like asking

Posted by Lewis on February 12, 2004

In Reply to: Like asking chickens to vote on the menu (?) posted by DOR on February 12, 2004

: : : Hello from Hong Kong!

: : : This is my first time here. I'm not sure I have the above quote right, and also am looking for a source. It basically means "don't expect those with strong vested interests to undermine their own positions."

: : I'm in the U.S. and I've never heard that expression. Does it mean asking the chickens to vote for fried chicken on the menu?

: Exactly. Don't expect the bird to recommend the sauce would be another way of putting it.

"turkeys to vote for Christmas" (we use in UK), but Americans could say 'thanksgiving' instead. before the introduction of turkeys from the Americas, the traditional Christmas fare was a goose, which back then were more common.

a Christmas goose with all the trimmings is quite a meal.

the expression is not simply saying that people will not vote against their self-interest - it is saying that the suggestion is so highly prejudicial it amounts to self-destrution.

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