GalacticCactus Forum

Forums => English & Linguistics => Topic started by: Noemon on May 13, 2008, 12:37:41 PM

Title: Not a British Idiomatic Phrase, It Turns Out
Post by: Noemon on May 13, 2008, 12:37:41 PM

From this article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/gloucestershire/7395452.stm), "They're jobsworths, for the sake of an inch and a half on the path."

I can get a vague sense from context of what the guy means, but still.  Anybody know the origin of this one?  I guess I'm curious about both the word "jobsworth" and the phrase "for the sake of an inch and a half on the path".

Title: Not a British Idiomatic Phrase, It Turns Out
Post by: Farmgirl on May 13, 2008, 12:44:01 PM

Well, I think his "for the sake of an inch and a half on the path" is just saying that's all of the car that was in the road. I don't think it is saying that part of it as an idiom or anything -- the same as if we said. "it was only sticking out in the roadway an inch!"

but interesting.  I don't know the jobsworth thing.

Title: Not a British Idiomatic Phrase, It Turns Out
Post by: Farmgirl on May 13, 2008, 12:45:44 PM

And This is what wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jobsworth) says is a jobsworth
 

Title: Not a British Idiomatic Phrase, It Turns Out
Post by: Jonathon on May 13, 2008, 12:48:51 PM

I think Farmgirl's right about "an inch and a half on the path." And I was just about to post that same link.

Title: Not a British Idiomatic Phrase, It Turns Out
Post by: Noemon on May 13, 2008, 12:55:32 PM

Oooh, somehow I wasn't reading it that way at all!  You're definitely right though, FG.

Title: Not a British Idiomatic Phrase, It Turns Out
Post by: Farmgirl on May 13, 2008, 02:13:04 PM

I know some jobsworths around here.... :grumble: