Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[calcaneous]

I just don't understand what they mean by "turn on the velvet".
Does anyone know?



.....Of course, Tony should have just shot the phone but he listened to Jack "turn on the velvet" and convince him that he really does understand since he lost his wife Teri the same way.....



I also think that the "Jack turn on the velvet and convince..." part is grammatically incorrect.

It should be "Jack turning on the velvet and convincing...", right?

(If the origianal sentence is indeed correct, could you explain how that works grammatically, as well?)

In case you need, here's the full paragraph;

Jack calls the Death Clinic to see if Henderson made it in. The doctor, within 10 feet of Tony, tells Jack over the speakerphone that Henderson and Burke are indeed in there. Smart move. Tony now knows there is someone there he can blame for Michelle�s murder and puts the doc in a sleeper hold. He then heads into the room where Henderson is and relieves Burke of his sidearm. He even refers to Burke as �Rick� when he says, �I don�t want to shoot you Rick, but I will if I have to!� Rick realizes his $40,000 a year job as torturer extraordinaire isn�t worth it and backs off. Jack pipes into the room via the intercom and talks Tony out of killing Henderson. Of course, Tony should have just shot the phone but he listened to Jack turn on the velvet and convince him that he really does understand since he lost his wife Teri the same way. Well, not really. Teri was shot in cold blood by Nina; Michelle was the victim of a car bomb. Or, as I said in the premiere, a hell of a factory recall.

[hitori2k6]

Hi,

Velvet (fabric) is smooth and soft.

So when they say "turn on the velvet"
it means to be charming or smooth talking.
Perhaps "persuasive" or "convincing".
A quality the person might not have otherwise.

You're trying to smooth talk someone to do
something you want.

"I turned on the velvet to get my friend to loan
me some money".

I hope this helps. Bye.

[LucentShade]

[calcaneous]

Thanks a lot, you guys.
This question bothered me the whole day.