LL-L "Idiomatica" 2004.09.13 (13) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 13.SEP.2004 (13) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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From: Sandy Fleming <sandy at scotstext.org>
Subject: "Idiomatica" [E]

> From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Idiomatica
>
> So far I don't know if anyone says the equivalent in Lowlands Saxon (Low
> German) of Germany: "to eat" _mit lange tenen_ (<mit lange Tähn>).
However,
> if anyone did say it, I'm pretty sure I would know what is meant.

In Scots, this idea is expressed by the phrase "a lang-shankit spuin" (a
long-handled spoon). The basic idea is expressed in the proverb, "He needs a
lang-shankit spuin that sups wi the Deil" ("He needs a long-handled spoon,
who sups with the Devil").

Sandy
http://scotstext.org/

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Idiomatica

Thanks for the Scots version, Sandy!

I wrote:

> So far I don't know if anyone says the equivalent in Lowlands Saxon (Low
> German) of Germany: "to eat" _mit lange tenen_ (<mit lange Tähn>).
However,
> if anyone did say it, I'm pretty sure I would know what is meant.

I had a feeling it *was* a legitimate phrase, and some snooping has
confirmed that:

lange tenen hebben (<lange Tähn hebben> "to have long teeth")
mit lange tenen eten (<mit lange Tähn eten> "to eat with long teeth")
mit lange tenen kau(g)en (<mit lange Tähn kau(g)en> "to chew with long
teeth")

They all denote eating with great caution, without enjoyment, with disgust,
etc.

Here is another phrase involving teeth (and there are many):

so veel as in 'n hollen teen
(<so veel as in'n hollen Tähn>)
"as much as in a hollow tooth"

This denotes an amount of food that is way too small, not satisfying.

I heard it used in Australia and still use it myself in English as "(just
about) enough for a/the hole in your tooth" in the same sense.  A couple of
Americans around me have adopted it.

Is this more widely spread?

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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