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"I feel for sheer balls alone"

 
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lostin1800



Joined: 01 Dec 2006
Posts: 39

PostPosted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:06 am    Post subject: "I feel for sheer balls alone" Reply with quote

Daniel Day-Lewis won the BAFTA Best Actor Award this year, this is an excerpt from Reuter news:


Renowned for his intense preparation for roles, Day-Lewis won a Best Actor Oscar in 1989 for his moving performance as a man with cserebral palsy in "My Left Foot". He famously stayed in character on set even when the cameras were not rolling.
Making a rare sortie into the media spotlight, Day-Lewis said after receiving his award: "It's been a mighty year and I feel very proud to have been included."
Clutching his award, he then jokingly added: "I feel for sheer balls alone, Marion Cotillard ought to have this one as well."



I didn't get the joke; what did he mean by "I feel for sheer balls alone"?
Thanks.
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Bob S.



Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal

PostPosted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:38 am    Post subject: Re: "I feel for sheer balls alone" Reply with quote

lostin1800 wrote:
Clutching his award, he then jokingly added: "I feel for sheer balls alone, Marion Cotillard ought to have this one as well."

I didn't get the joke; what did he mean by "I feel for sheer balls alone"?
Thanks.
Balls is slang for male testes, it is a metaphor for manly courage. Daniel Day-Lewis is implying that Marion Cotillard gave a courageous performance in her movie Le Vie en Rose that was nominated for many BAFTA awards.
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lostin1800



Joined: 01 Dec 2006
Posts: 39

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Bob,
I would need a word by word help on this.
'sheer alone' here means 'utterly alone'?
'feel for' means 'sympathize with'?

Thanks.
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Bob S.



Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

lostin1800 wrote:
I would need a word by word help on this.
'sheer alone' here means 'utterly alone'?
'feel for' means 'sympathize with'?
"Feel" in this case means strongly think or to have a strong opinion (even if you don't have absolute facts to prove it).
"Sheer _____ alone" means only but with emphasis.
e.g.
Sheer size alone allowed the 250 kg sumo wrestler to dominate his smaller but more agile opponents.
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lostin1800



Joined: 01 Dec 2006
Posts: 39

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:59 am    Post subject: Re: "I feel for sheer balls alone" Reply with quote

lostin1800 wrote:

I feel for sheer balls alone.


Hello again Bob,

So the �balls� referred to Marion�s balls (metaphorically), and the sentence can be rephrased as:

�I admire Marion Cotillard�s courage, she ought to have this one as well�?
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Bob S.



Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:39 am    Post subject: Re: "I feel for sheer balls alone" Reply with quote

lostin1800 wrote:
So the �balls� referred to Marion�s balls (metaphorically), and the sentence can be rephrased as:

�I admire Marion Cotillard�s courage, she ought to have this one as well�?
Yes, that's a good way to put it.
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