Author Topic: Not a British Idiomatic Phrase, It Turns Out (Read 1463 times)

Noemon · « **on:** May 13, 2008, 12:37:41 PM »

From this article, "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".

Farmgirl · « **Reply #1 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.

Farmgirl · « **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2008, 12:45:44 PM »

And This is what wikipedia says is a jobsworth

Jonathon · « **Reply #3 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.

Noemon · « **Reply #4 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.

Farmgirl · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2008, 02:13:04 PM »

I know some jobsworths around here....