Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[BMO]

"There is more than one way to kill a goose" and "there is more than one way to skin a cat" are the same. Am I right?

Thanks.

[Nef]

I hadn't heard the one about the goose, but I think the main idea probably is the same.

[advoca]

Yes, BMO, they are both in common use and they both mean the same. Howver, Nef is quite right. To skin a cat is more often heard.

[BMO]

Thanks to Nef and advoca. Since I did not see that many "goose" thing on the Internet, I thought perhaps I was wrong.

Have a great day.

[Bob S.]

[BMO]

Thanks. It means if it is good for one, it is also good for the other, right?

bmo

[ebb]

Well, I for one have never heard the expression about killing the goose. It's certainly not a common English or American proverb.... But certainly, from the context, its meaning is clear. I wouldn't use it unless either (a) you want to coin new expressions or (b) you just want people to look at you funny. But everyone will get its meaning.

We do speak of "killing the golden goose" or more fully, "killing the goose that laid the golden egg" but that has an entirely different meaning.

Or you could try a good one from American business: "Pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered."

Or very slangy: "you can ask for that in the contract (e.g. a concession or favorable term from the other party in a negotiation), but remember, it's a goose-gander kind of thing" or (very very slangy and a bit flippant) "but you may get goose-gandered."
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"This is insolence up with which I will not put." Winston Churchill, upon reading a newspaper�s criticism of his having ended a sentence with a preposition.

"You can get more with a kind word and a gun, than with just a kind word." Al Capone.

[BMO]

Thanks. Just what is good for the goose is good for the gander (male goose)? I am not positively sure.

I would like to know the meaning of "Pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered."

bmo

[ebb]

Thanks. Just what is good for the goose is good for the gander (male goose)? I am not positively sure.

If it's fair for you, then it's fair for me. Say you're going to swap with me: I trade you some English books for your golf clubs. You say "OK but if I look at the books, and don't like them, then I get to call the deal off, return your books and get my clubs back."

I say "OK but same for me.... if your clubs suck, then I get to call off the deal, return your clubs, and get my books back."

You've just been goose-gandered. If it's fair for you, then it's fair for me.

I would like to know the meaning of "Pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered."

Get a good deal from the other guy, but don't be too greedy. Just be a pig and get fat and happy... not a hog, which ends up getting killed.

If you're too greedy, then that will backfire against you in the end. Trying to screw the other guy too much will not benefit you.
_________________
"This is insolence up with which I will not put." Winston Churchill, upon reading a newspaper�s criticism of his having ended a sentence with a preposition.

"You can get more with a kind word and a gun, than with just a kind word." Al Capone.

[bud]

I'm not sure about the second one.

The first one is usually used by a wife or a husband (a goose or a gander). It happens when one does something that the other doesn't approve of (although, most often it is not a very serious issue). The other's expressed disapproval does not deter the "miscreant," so the other decides to do something that will meet with their disapproval. It's a sayining that concerns retribution against the spouse.

Ex:

Wife: I''m going for a perm this afternoon.
Husband: Oh, no! Please don't! You know I don't like your hair like that!
Wife: It's much easier to take care of, so I'm doing it whether you like it or not.

later...

Husband: I'm getting that tattoo of a dragon on my chest tonight.
Friend: Really? Won't your wife wring your neck for that?
Husband: Well, she's getting a perm today and I hate that. What's good for the goose is good for the gander!

[BMO]

Thanks. There are very interesting idioms.

Bmo

[ebb]

Indeed, but I think gettting the retaliatory dragon tattoo is a bit over the top, don't you??

Well..... maybe he wanted the dragon all his life and was waiting for the right opportunity.... ... it DOES sound pretty cool. I bet she'll never get another &$**$%& perm after this one !!!
_________________
"This is insolence up with which I will not put." Winston Churchill, upon reading a newspaper�s criticism of his having ended a sentence with a preposition.

"You can get more with a kind word and a gun, than with just a kind word." Al Capone.

[bud]

Yes, over the top! My creative juices were running low... I couldn't think of anything more realistic at the moment!