Language in All Its Silliness Idioms and Colloquialisms Part Two

[aerianya]

The Poll! I did a Poll! Sad I know...

[Poll #1232600]

Comments

[caarianna.livejournal.com]

LOL. I wanted to give multiple answers to the poll! Like music will sooth just about anybody or anything (if it's soothing music)and I probably should be washing dishes!

[aerianya.livejournal.com]

I almost put an All of the above box .... but then I'd really have to go wash dishes and this is much more fun!

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

And the minute I hit the button, and woke up properly... I knew I'd got them both wrong!!!!!

[aerianya.livejournal.com]

Well answer in the comments. It's only about fun.

[morgan32.livejournal.com]

I'm quite certain no power on this earth has sufficient charms to soothe the savage screaming baby :-)

...But that proverb comes from the myth of Orpheus - the music of his lyre calmed Cerberus and allowed him to enter the Underworld in search of Euridice.

[aerianya.livejournal.com]

Wow, haven't heard it that context before usually people just say Music hath charms to sooth the savage beast the actual quote being Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."
William Congreve The Mourning Bride (You suppose he pinched it for his play? although the meaning is a little different)
Cool, I love all this is bringing out. Lovely friendly discussion.

*I'm quite certain no power on this earth has sufficient charms to soothe the savage screaming baby :-)
Well Yayas, Nanas and Grandmas armed with rocking chairs maybe.*g*

Going to seek out The Myth of Orpheus, pretty sure I have it somewhere in my mythology collection. Made me long to read some again.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

Oh I know... I'm just sleepily kicking myself for fun as well... :)

[aerianya.livejournal.com]

*g*

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

See, now I'm bothered about exactly what would cause a breast to get all wound up and savage - and how would you know if a breast was that grumpy? ::worries::

I may need to go lie down for a short nap now. *g*

[aerianya.livejournal.com]

I am just quite horrified that beast is winning. I mean I never told anyone they couldn't Google or whatever. Maybe the next poll will be an information scavage hunt thing.
Become a walking encyclopedia of useless information like aeri! Unfortunately I don't have the confidence to back it up, I must look it up to be sure.

[batagur.livejournal.com]

See, now I thought the saying originated from Orpheus and Eurydice too. Never heard of William Congreve The Mourning Bride.

[aerianya.livejournal.com]

"Orpheus and Eurydice"
Does this quote appear in any of the stories you've read? I am really curious to find this out now. Can you point me in the right direction? The books I have are all mostly narrative so any thing with dialog would be cool. Find out if the actual quote predates 1697.

[betagoddess.livejournal.com]

"Music has charms to soothe a savage breast" is a quote from "The Mourning Bride" (1697) act 1, scene one by William Congreve (1670-1729) and has been MUCH misquoted over the centuries. *g*

( and although the poll is closed, you can add my "thing" to the count. Heh heh!

[aerianya.livejournal.com]

Another famous quote came from the same play. It is in a comment above...*g*

[betagoddess.livejournal.com]

Interesting stuff. *g*

[aerianya.livejournal.com]

Oh yes. and
*Um I lied, the other is actually in the other post on the same subject.
Also usually slightly misquoted...
"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned,
Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned."

[betagoddess.livejournal.com]

He got THAT right! *g*

[aerianya.livejournal.com]

Yep.