I was thinking about the phrase 'The pot calling the kettle black'. It comes from a time where cooking was done over open fires and cookware would become visibly ashy. (Fun fact: It first appears and was perhaps coined by Cervantes in Don Quixote!)

What are some other idioms that have lost their literal connection to time? What would be a good modern replacement?

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[–] 4 points 2 weeks ago (8 children)

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure -- I've occasionally heard English speakers say this (or something similar) much to the confusion of the Japanese folks around. I guess one could swap ounce/pound to gram/kilo, but I think it could use replacing.

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  • [–] 9 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

    Checking in from the States.... The fuck is a "gram/kilo"? Nah, I'm kidding. It's cocaine, right?

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  • [–] 1 point 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    The gram kg probably already exists, I think?

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  • [–] 1 point 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    Maybe, but I've never heard anyone say it (other than me when this comes up which is maybe once every year or two). That said, it may well exist in other, more sensible countries.

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