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ESDAW
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What are you talking about?

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Many phrases and expressions are said to often without thinking about what it really means. Many phrases is about animals, and some are patronizing or even wicked.

Here is a common expression from the UK;

It's raining cats and dogs

Of course it does not rain cats and dogs, in reality - But meaning; Raining very heavily.

The use of animals in patronizing metaphors in everyday life -  to children - may contribute to the approach we have to the animals. It is unnecessary to use animals in a negative figure of speech.

We should stop and think before we use patronizing and unrealistic words about animals and instead say literally what we mean;

It's raining very heavily today


Readers post
France
Having Frogs in the stomach (when your stomach makes noise)
It's raining like a Cow pissing
Ireland
You might as well be hung for a Sheep as a Lamb
Portugal
Dog that barks don't bite
Cat with gloves does not hunting mice
One Swallow does not make the Spring
Seagulls on land - storm at sea

Dog's cough, when you have a severe cough
Sweden
Dog weather - vile weather
Romania
It's the gentle Cat that scratches the worst
The good Horse is sold in the stable
Good wine needs no bush
You must not run after two Hares at the same time
A Dog dies from too much walking
A Wolf in a Sheep skin
Don't give the Sparrow in the hand for the Crow on the fence (A Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush)
Don't sell the skin of the Bear from the forest, (Don't sell the skin till you have caught the Bear)
UK
Sick as a Dog
Dead as a Dodo
Fat as a Pig
Your breath is like Dogs Breath
A case of Dog eat Dog
A Leopard never changes its spots
A Snake in the grass
A Wolf in Sheeps clothing
Bull in a china shop
Beat a dead Horse
Crocodile tears,
Dog tired
Cat got ya tonge
Let the Cat out the bag
Sleeping Dogs lie
Fish out of water
A Cat in hells chance
Not enough room to swing a Cat
You can take a Horse to water but can't make it drink
Can't teach an old Dog new tricks


We wonder if you want to help describe more phrases and expressions, where animals are involved - and also the country in which it is used ?


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