Too Clever by Half

Posted by Bob on October 10, 2006

In Reply to: Too Clever by Half posted by R. Berg on October 10, 2006

: : : : : origin three shakes of a lambs tail

: : : : Literally that. Three shakes of a lamb's tail can happen very quickly, hence the analogy. Quite a common phrase in the UK. Must be 100s of years old and based on simple observation. Used to describe something happening quickly, usually the time elapsing before a task is completed.

: : : The U.S. version is "two shakes of a lamb's tail." Why the difference? Unless we have slower lambs over here, you can blame exchange rates. ~rb

: : My knowledge of Econ is deep,
: : The rate that you quote is too steep.
: : The dollar, I've found
: : Is two to the pound.
: : Not 3-to-2 shakes, as in sheep.

: These ratios of shillings to dimes,
: Historically, change with the times.
: So my math's obsolete?
: I, reduced to a bleat,
: Maintain it's the least of all crimes. ~rb

The rates fluctuate, what to do?
Hindsight will tell us what's true.
We just can't know nuttin'
Til lamb turns to mutton,
The fault is the clock, and not ewe.

• Too Clever by Half James Briggs 11/October/06