Punch and Chalk and Cheese

Posted by David FG on September 08, 2004

In Reply to: Punch and Chalk and Cheese posted by DAVID on September 08, 2004

: ?What is the meaning of "There's no show without Punch"

: ?What is the origin of "As diferent as chalk from cheese"

Punch is the central character in a traditional (usually seaside) entertainment - at least in the UK. He is puppet, along with his wife Judy, a policeman, a dog, a crocodile and I think possibly several other characters. The origins of the 'Punch and Judy Show' are Italian I think but the phrase you used just means that it would not be much of a show without the central character.

I have no idea about chalk and cheese, I'm afraid, and I have checked in Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable and that was no help either - it just says it is a traditional phrase, helped in its popularity by the alliteration.

• Punch and Chalk and Cheese ESC 08/September/04
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      • Chalk and Cheese Lewis 09/September/04