WE say them all the while, thinking they are cute sayings, but rarely stop to question what they really are intended to mean.

Take this one which I used after a trip to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. I was telling the family that I saw a facility marked “Shelter for Battered Men”. Of course, like you, they had a hard time believing me. So, mindlessly following tradition, I urged “I saw it with my own two eyes,” to which our blunt daughter or my wife retorted “With whose eyes can you see but your own?”.

When the Reggae Boyz were due to play Mexico at the office the other day I overheard two men in the barbershop arguing about our chances of winning. One guy said he thinks we can beat them the other replied comically “yes, but which year?” The other guy just muttered “memba seh di ball roun,” as if that geometrical shape increased our chance of victory. A similar saying is “any kyaad kyahn play,” which is not even true, technically, but even if true, what does that guarantee?

Then we have expressions that some of us remember incorrectly, like indicating that a plan will not be allowed, and saying “not over my dead body” for “over my dead body”. Well, a person could take you out and implement the plan you oppose over your dead body.

Finally a puzzling one. A person threatens another, “If you do that again I’ll beat you within an inch of your life.” Not within two inches, or a foot of your life, but an inch. What degree of punishment or pain is being threatened?

clintchis@yahoo.com