Comments | keepsthelight: [written]

keepsthelight

[written]

Dec 22, 2011 22:30

I have come across a few strange phrases in the books I've read here. They're a little like the ones my guards use back home, except I haven't had many opportunities to discern their meaning. [She pauses for a moment, before resuming.]"Never look a gift horse in the mouth." Is it dangerous to approach one, perhaps ( Read more... )

where's hakuen, where is kururu when i need her, needs a tutor, colloquialisms ahoy, written

Comments 25

[written] insertsparkles December 23 2011, 03:45:07 UTC

I think I can help you with those! At home, Shima-san knew a lot of things like that and she taught them to me when she had the time.

I believe the second one means that if you don't stay in any one place for long it will be hard for you to prosper. And the third one is just that there are different ways to reach certain goals! I'm afraid I can't remember what the first one means.

[written] keepsthelight December 23 2011, 03:52:13 UTC

[She takes a moment to read it over.] Oh I see! So in this case, the stone is a person and the moss is success?

[written] insertsparkles December 23 2011, 04:11:51 UTC

Yes, that's right! I think it's a very creative metaphor, don't you think? If everyone said more things like that we'd probably all sound like we were in an old story book!

[written] keepsthelight December 24 2011, 19:23:08 UTC

It would be rather fun to use them in everyday conversation.

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[Written] wantsaprince December 23 2011, 05:55:30 UTC

I don't get that second one, but the first one is something like "If someone is nice enough to give you something, don't complain about it." I think that's what it means, anyway.

And the last one means "There's more than one way to do something." That's a pretty terrible way of saying it if you ask me, though.

[Written] keepsthelight December 24 2011, 19:22:09 UTC

Hmm, I see. Someone was kind of enough to explain the second one to me. Apparently, you shouldn't stray from places too much or you won't reap the benefits of staying in one place.

It is rather morbid... I do not think I shall use this one very often.

[Written] wantsaprince December 24 2011, 20:18:07 UTC

Is that what that one means? But if you move too much, how do you end up making friends and stuff? It's kind of hard to think about.

Isn't it just?! A lot of these kinds of sayings are pretty weird, though. Like "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Apples are good and all, but I don't think that really works.

[Written] keepsthelight December 27 2011, 05:06:53 UTC

It might depend on what kind of benefits you seek, perhaps. There are those who value material success over friendship back home.

Oh yes, apples are healthy to consume, but one shouldn't eat too much!

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[ written ] etudism December 23 2011, 13:00:08 UTC

It isn't dangerous to approach a horse, although some are known to kick when you approach them in a way they deem dangerous or suspicious, like from behind. But if you approach a horse from the front it should be okay.

The proverb means you should not be overly critical or ungrateful about a gift you got. There's more of a story behind the choice of words for this proverb, though.

[ written ] keepsthelight December 24 2011, 19:18:07 UTC

[Oh!!] Thank you! Do you know the story behind it?

[ written ] etudism December 25 2011, 19:56:03 UTC

It is a custom for horse sellers and buyers to look a horse in the mouth to determine whether it's a good horse to buy or not - considering they can tell the horse's age from its teeth. That's why you shouldn't look a gifted horse in the mouth, since you're trying to establish your gift's quality that way.

[ written ] keepsthelight December 27 2011, 05:04:52 UTC

Oh I see, and to do so would be rude to the one who gave you the gift in the first place. [SO HELPFUL KOTOMI!] Thank you very much! I truly enjoy learning new things.

Thread 5

[Voice] no_use_running December 23 2011, 15:49:00 UTC

I might be able to help, with some of that. If you'd like.

[Voice] keepsthelight December 24 2011, 19:16:30 UTC

I would appreciate that very much, miss...?

[Voice] no_use_running December 25 2011, 03:41:10 UTC

I'm Mizuno Ami; Mizuno is my family name. [She's learned to specify, or give her name in the western order, here in Luceti - though an odd number of Japanese people seem to be brought here.]

It's nice to meet you.

[Voice] keepsthelight December 27 2011, 05:00:32 UTC

It's very nice to meet you as well, Ami. My name is Ouka! Are you familiar with expressions like these?

Thread 5

[voice] hoennian December 24 2011, 01:30:51 UTC

Huh. Last one kinda reminds me of 'There's more than one way to catch a Skitty'?

[voice] keepsthelight December 24 2011, 19:15:50 UTC

A Skitty?

[voice] hoennian December 25 2011, 22:48:35 UTC

[Sigh...] Let's just say it's an animal for now, okay?

[voice] keepsthelight December 27 2011, 04:59:37 UTC

Ah, okay. [she can't let this go....! JUST ONE MORE QUESTION] Is it a type of cat?

Thread 5