Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Yoshiyuki]

Hi. While I was reading 'BOOKSHOP MEMORIES' by George Orwell, I came across the following underlined parts, which made me wonder what they really mean. Would anyone kindly help me to understand them? Thank you in advance.

Like most second-hand bookshops we had various sidelines. We sold second-hand typewriters, for instance, and also stamps � used stamps, I mean. Stamp-collectors are a strange, silent, fish-like breed, of all ages, but only of the male sex; women, apparently, fail to see the peculiar charm of gumming bits of coloured paper into albums.

Roughly speaking, what one might call the average novel � the ordinary, good-bad, Galsworthy-and-water stuff which is the norm of the English novel � seems to exist only for women.

[pugachevV]

A fish-like breed means they are people who behave like fishes. They live quietly in their silent world, perhaps.

Galsworthy and water stuff. This probably means that if Galworthy (A very famous English novelist) is compared to whisky - strong, fiery and undiluted - Galsworthy and water is like whisky and water - the bite has gone, the taste has been diluted... It is just average, bland fare, like so many other English novels (in Orwell's opinion).

[Yoshiyuki]

Thank you very much,pugachev V, for your very clear infromation. Everything has become clear to me. Now I think I can really enjoy George Orwell. By the way, whisky and soda has rerived and is getting very popular in Japan now. Thank you again, pugachev V.

[pugachevV]

You should not add anything to a decent single malt whisky, I think.

[CP]

I know!

Would you water down a nice capuccino?

Would you ask for diluted lemonade?

Would you call for a pint of Guinness, half water and half stout?

I ask you. . . .
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