Hi Elham, *Meaning :*
1. To speak plainly - to describe something as it really is. 2. To tell the truth about something, even if it is not polite or pleasant. *Origin : * The phrase was introduced to English in 1542 in *Nicolas Udall's*translation of Erasmus, *Apophthegmes, that is to saie, prompte saiynges. First gathered by Erasmus* : *Philippus aunswered, that the Macedonians wer feloes of no fyne witte in their termes but altogether grosse, clubbyshe, and rusticall, as they whiche had not the witte to calle a spade by any other name then a spade.* *Examples :* > "You know me, I call a spade a spade and when I see someone behaving like an idiot, I tell them." 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (ch. XVII) decries realism in literature through Lord Henry's words : > " The man who could call a spade a spade should be compelled to use one." The phrase also features in Wilde's play, 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. Cecily declares : > "When I see a spade, I call it a spade" to which Gwendolen responds "I am glad to say that I have never seen a spade". > "You can call him a nice guy if you want to but I am *calling a spade a spade*; that guy is a jerk. >" Well, he's not my closest friend. But actually I don't have any opinion about him." *Reply:* "Hey, why don't you just *call a spade a spade*? That guy is a jerk." ..................... Regards Elc --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "English Learner's Cafe" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/english_learners?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
