192. Idiom - February 5-11, 2017
Paul-
Of the innumerable English language idioms, “Dollars to Doughnuts” is nearly my favorite. I mean, you really have to love “Kick the Bucket,” “Go Cold Turkey,” and “Barking up the Wrong Tree.” And those are just the ones I feel comfortable printing here (since the WPOTM is a family show).
My mother often slipped in “Dollar to Doughnuts” when the conversation permitted. (An etymological variant is “I’d Bet Dollars to Doughnuts,” and she used that as well.) So, this submission is an homage to her. And, perhaps, a salute to one of the idioms I fear won’t survive even occasional usage after the next generational jump. It’s just too quaint and a little abstruse for the uninitiated. And who’s gonna say “Bitcoins to Doughnuts” long after the WPOTM cadre have kicked the buc…uh, bought the far…well, are pushing up daisies?
A little background on this idiom. First, I can report (without having time fact-checked this) this phrase surfaced in the Daily Nevada State Journal in February, 1876. It might have been in print sooner; maybe later. But that's the timeframe. The contemporary and “popular” spelling for doughnuts—which I loathe--was not used at that time, so I’m not printing it here. (I'd like to think my Mom, who was a stickler for spelling and grammar, would back me up on this.) Second, the idiomatic phrase is used (as I interpret it) to convey that one’s conviction in a particular point of view or confidence of a wager is so strong they would gladly put up their dollars against something of lessor value—in this instance, doughnuts.
Of course now-a-days these tasty treats might be served up with crispy bacon garnish and a saffron dusting, made by an artisan baker named Jocelynette, and have you digging in your wallet for an extra dollar or two. Or three.
Dunking in to provide the details: Nikon D5200; 18-55mm lens set at 26mm; ISO 2000; 1/125 sec. at f/10; -2/3 EV; aperture priority; center-weighted averaging; Auto WB. Lighting from a slatted window with a western exposure (4:58PM). The camera was hand-held. (When finished, I ate the money and stuffed the doughnuts in my wallet.)
Of the innumerable English language idioms, “Dollars to Doughnuts” is nearly my favorite. I mean, you really have to love “Kick the Bucket,” “Go Cold Turkey,” and “Barking up the Wrong Tree.” And those are just the ones I feel comfortable printing here (since the WPOTM is a family show).
My mother often slipped in “Dollar to Doughnuts” when the conversation permitted. (An etymological variant is “I’d Bet Dollars to Doughnuts,” and she used that as well.) So, this submission is an homage to her. And, perhaps, a salute to one of the idioms I fear won’t survive even occasional usage after the next generational jump. It’s just too quaint and a little abstruse for the uninitiated. And who’s gonna say “Bitcoins to Doughnuts” long after the WPOTM cadre have kicked the buc…uh, bought the far…well, are pushing up daisies?
A little background on this idiom. First, I can report (without having time fact-checked this) this phrase surfaced in the Daily Nevada State Journal in February, 1876. It might have been in print sooner; maybe later. But that's the timeframe. The contemporary and “popular” spelling for doughnuts—which I loathe--was not used at that time, so I’m not printing it here. (I'd like to think my Mom, who was a stickler for spelling and grammar, would back me up on this.) Second, the idiomatic phrase is used (as I interpret it) to convey that one’s conviction in a particular point of view or confidence of a wager is so strong they would gladly put up their dollars against something of lessor value—in this instance, doughnuts.
Of course now-a-days these tasty treats might be served up with crispy bacon garnish and a saffron dusting, made by an artisan baker named Jocelynette, and have you digging in your wallet for an extra dollar or two. Or three.
Dunking in to provide the details: Nikon D5200; 18-55mm lens set at 26mm; ISO 2000; 1/125 sec. at f/10; -2/3 EV; aperture priority; center-weighted averaging; Auto WB. Lighting from a slatted window with a western exposure (4:58PM). The camera was hand-held. (When finished, I ate the money and stuffed the doughnuts in my wallet.)
Jerry-
My first attempt was at "hot potato" and of course it was my style to light one on fire with charcoal grill starter fluid. But my result didn't thrill me and I think I need to get away from burning things. See ya later alligator came to mind but I settled on "a penny for your thoughts".
I took this at work under the fine fluorescent overhead lighting in my cubical. I found a suitable image of a brain in google and printed it out on 8.5 x 11 paper to be my background. Then, finding my very best penny in my change jar, I held it at what I thought was a nice angle. Camera was the Sony A6300 with 50mm lens with a plus 4 close up lens, settings of 1/250 @ F11, ISO 3200, auto white balance. I did select the penny in Photoshop and gave it more of warm hue.
I did be sure to trim my fingernails for the shoot.
My first attempt was at "hot potato" and of course it was my style to light one on fire with charcoal grill starter fluid. But my result didn't thrill me and I think I need to get away from burning things. See ya later alligator came to mind but I settled on "a penny for your thoughts".
I took this at work under the fine fluorescent overhead lighting in my cubical. I found a suitable image of a brain in google and printed it out on 8.5 x 11 paper to be my background. Then, finding my very best penny in my change jar, I held it at what I thought was a nice angle. Camera was the Sony A6300 with 50mm lens with a plus 4 close up lens, settings of 1/250 @ F11, ISO 3200, auto white balance. I did select the penny in Photoshop and gave it more of warm hue.
I did be sure to trim my fingernails for the shoot.
Byron-
I'm glad Paul included the reference link. I looked through that before deciding on a topic. I found one that I thought I could work with "One good turn deserves another". I know that turn means act or deed but being a literal guy, I went with a literal meaning. I went to the scenic overlook on Hwy 74 out of Palm Desert. and shot this photo looking back at the Coachella Valley. My mighty D3200 has enough creative firepower to make the road look like an HO scale slot car track. There are many turns in that stretch of road. It is very "Tail of the Dragon" like. All the turns are good and they all deserve another.
ISO 400 / f6.3 / 1/500sec / 86mm
I'm glad Paul included the reference link. I looked through that before deciding on a topic. I found one that I thought I could work with "One good turn deserves another". I know that turn means act or deed but being a literal guy, I went with a literal meaning. I went to the scenic overlook on Hwy 74 out of Palm Desert. and shot this photo looking back at the Coachella Valley. My mighty D3200 has enough creative firepower to make the road look like an HO scale slot car track. There are many turns in that stretch of road. It is very "Tail of the Dragon" like. All the turns are good and they all deserve another.
ISO 400 / f6.3 / 1/500sec / 86mm
Kevin-
How to come up with a photographic representation of an Idiom? I really racked my brain hoping that some sort of idea to take root inside my head. But nothing really spun my prop. An idea would seem close, but then as I thought about it further it failed to yank my chain. Then another idea would float around my head, but then fail to spin my prop. It seemed that nothing really tripped my trigger. Fortunately California is a place that you can get most any food, at any time of year. And I have a pile of corn to prepare. So if an appropriate idiom comes to you, let me know. I’m all ears!
How to come up with a photographic representation of an Idiom? I really racked my brain hoping that some sort of idea to take root inside my head. But nothing really spun my prop. An idea would seem close, but then as I thought about it further it failed to yank my chain. Then another idea would float around my head, but then fail to spin my prop. It seemed that nothing really tripped my trigger. Fortunately California is a place that you can get most any food, at any time of year. And I have a pile of corn to prepare. So if an appropriate idiom comes to you, let me know. I’m all ears!