Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromichi]

What does the captioned phrase mean?


When asked in an interview last April if he would ever consider retiring from the CBS News program "60 Minutes," Mike Wallace said that he planned to do so only "when my toes turn up."

"Well," Mr. Wallace said, amending that statement in an interview yesterday, "they're just beginning to curl a trifle."
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Hiromichi

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello hiromichi -

A trifle is a small amount (something of little significance).

So, in this case.... beginning to curl a "little bit".

Welcome back. How was your trip? Philo

[hiromichi]

Philo Kevetch, Thank you, but what I like to know is what "toes CURL a trifle" mean?
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Hiromichi

[alan.es]

Well, if you think about it your toes don't normally 'turn up'. They are flat on the ground but they will 'turn up' if you are lying on your back. Eventually all of us will be on our back with 'our toes turned up' - - when we die, of course.

So Mike Wallace is jokingly saying that he will only retire when he dies - however he then says that 'they are beginning to curl a trifle' - they are begining to turn up a little - he is starting to feel old.

"When my toes turn up" is a colloquial expression meaning - when I die.

[hiromichi]

alan.es, Now I get it. Thank you very much.
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Hiromichi

[Philo Kevetch]

hiromichi - Sorry, I dropped the ball on that one! I'll try to more fully understand what is being asked in the future.

alan.es - Thanks for providing an excellent explanation.

[hiromichi]

Philo Kevetch, Even Homer sometimes nods. I learnt an expression "drop the ball on XXX" from your posting. Thank you.
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Hiromichi