# What does this mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 16, 1999, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean/7987 "1999-09-16T01:22:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 1999, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean/7987/1 "1999-09-16T01:22:00Z")
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_!!” ---
**Author:** ![Rich\_Barr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/41988e/32.png) [@Rich\_Barr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rich_Barr)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 1999, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean/7987/2 "1999-09-16T01:59:00Z")
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](mailto:massivemaple@hotmail.com) AOL Instant Messenger: Hrttannl ---
**Author:** ![BugZap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b77776/32.png) [@BugZap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BugZap)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 1999, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean/7987/3 "1999-09-16T19:57:00Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![beefymeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@beefymeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beefymeg)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 1999, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean/7987/4 "1999-09-16T21:07:00Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 1999, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean/7987/5 "1999-09-17T15:56:00Z")
Perhaps you did not hear her properly? At any rate, why not just go back & ask her about it? ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 1999, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean/7987/6 "1999-09-17T18:34:00Z")
- - - Well ain’t it obvious? Jeez, you must be greener than a fish tape. - MC ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 1999, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean/7987/7 "1999-09-17T19:18:00Z")
“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 ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 1999, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean/7987/8 "1999-09-17T19:28:00Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![GregAtlanta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eb9ed0/32.png) [@GregAtlanta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GregAtlanta)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 1999, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean/7987/9 "1999-09-17T19:46:00Z")
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