Chrysti The Wordsmith: Animals - 1

Greetings This is Christie the wordsmith from Montana State University in Bozeman. The animals with which we share our lives and work frequently appear in our daily discourse. We've incorporated game in farm animals sea creatures and household pets into our Proverbs cliches and idioms. Dogs have earned a prominent position in our hearts and language to put on the dog is to show off in fancy attire. This metaphor alludes to the mincing lapdogs pampered by the wealthy and the royal to dog someone's footsteps is to follow him like a devoted pet. Puppy Love is immature infatuation. Dog Latin is a jumble of Latin and English like a mutt dog Latin is of mixed heritage. Cats frequent our dialogue as well. A cat has nine lives is an expression inspired by the creatures uncanny ability to survive all manner of catastrophe. Look what the cat dragged in is an allusion to the appearance of a sodden mangled bird or mouse captured and presented by the household

cat. Birds provide ample metaphor Poppen J is an old word for a parrot. But today refers to a vain prattling and conceited person one who is all color and no substance to feather your nest is to improve your situation or make yourself comfortable like a bird that weaves soft downy feathers into her nest to protect her eggs. From Montana State University in Bozeman. I'm Christie the wordsmith. Christy the wordsmith is sponsored by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Zoot enterprises a high tech firm in Bozeman Montana offering challenging careers and innovative solutions for the financial services industry sued web dot com.