A friend of mine returned a phone call at work today. When she identified herself to the receptionist who answered the phone, she was asked: “You’re looking for Mr. X?” and when she said she was, the receptionist commented: “That’s like holding a sucker to a dog.”
Anyone have any clue what the heck that means? The office she called was in Michigan, but that wouldn’t necessarily make it a Michiganian expression.
“It’s bacon!!”
I’ve lived in Michigan, and I’ve never heard any such expression.
My guesses would be:
(1) The receptionist was drunk/stoned,
(2) The receptionist was having a nervous breakdown, or
(3) The receptionist was taking to somebody else about something else–17th Century veteranary practices relating to leetches and puppies, perhaps–and didn’t bother to cover the phone.
Rich Barr
massivemaple@hotmail.com
AOL Instant Messenger: Hrttannl
I think the tone of voice used would be critical in deciphering this.
But some wild guesses,
‘holding a sucker to a dog’
Effin’ impossible, dog’s got no hands, you’ll get him on the phone when they ice skate in hades.
Ever been eating something and had a dog suddenly snatch it away from you?
Taking candy from a baby? Easy to do?
Anything he touches gets fur on it?
Hey, I said they were wild, let us know if you find out for real.
Yeah, which words were accented in the sentence?
“THAT’S like holding a sucker to a dog” (emphasis on first word, trailing off sarcastically) would be a lot different than
“That’s like holding a SUCKER to a DOG”
…although I’m not really sure how.
Is it Friday yet?
Where are we going?
And why am I in this handbasket?
Perhaps you did not hear her properly?
At any rate, why not just go back & ask her about it?
“Greener than a fish tape”? What does that mean???
“If you drive an automobile, please drive carefully–because I walk in my sleep.”–Victor Borge
Says Sir Barr:
*My guesses would be:
(1) The receptionist was drunk/stoned,
(2) The receptionist was having a nervous breakdown, or
(3) The receptionist was taking to somebody else about something else–17th Century veteranary practices relating to leetches and puppies, perhaps–and didn’t bother to cover the phone."*
(4) The receptionist was Brithael.
Never heard this one before, but I like the sound of it. Here’s my best guess:
If you hold a sucker to a dog, he’ll lick it but he can’t hold it himself, so you’ll find yourself holding it for him for quite a while.
If you’re looking for Mr. X, you’re not going to find him soon, so you’ll be looking for quite a while.
So looking for Mr. X is like holding a sucker for a dog. You’d best be prepared to do it for a while.
– Greg, Atlanta