Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

There's one episode of Friends about Ross and Chandeler taking amenities from the hotel.
Ross said, "We are four short of a *bushel*"?
What's a bushel? some kind of measuring unit?

Thanks

[pugachevV]

A bushel is a measure used for corn, fruit, etc.. It equals 8 imperial gallons or 36.4 litres.

[missdaredevil]

So, bushel is a measurement unit?

Thanks

[bud]

Yes.

[Blossom]

Yes, a bushel is a measure, but what does "We are four short of a bushel" mean?

Can anyone explain, please.

[asterix]

Four short of a bushel means that they lack 4 things to complete whatever it is they are doing.

You can also hear a similar expression "He's four bricks short (or shy) of a load. It means he is not all there, i.e. a little bit crazy or eccentric.

[mittari]

[Blossom]

Ah now I understand (at least I think I do). It is a euphemism for being dumb (stupid), right?

But why four? Four what short?

My teacher once told me some other euphemisms like this.
A letter short of a word.
A word short of a sentence.
A sandwich short of a picnic.

[asterix]

Four of anything.
The point is that the bushel is not quite all there, just as the person to whom you are referring is not "all there".
If you say someone is not "all there", you mean he is a little bit crazy, mentally challenged, or eccentric. Generally, it is a negative expression.