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Permalink Reply by ika pescaprae on April 9, 2012 at 11:18

teacher
:)
I can't imagine why 2 short planks can be compared with someone who is stupid? Do you have the explanation?

thanks

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TeacherPermalink Reply by English Teacher Jamie on April 9, 2012 at 16:42

I'm not sure! I'll try and find out for you.

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Permalink Reply by Johnny Simpson on April 10, 2012 at 12:57

 A short plank of wood is less easy to bend or break compared to a long plank.

2 short planks placed on top of each other becomes denser or thicker. 

Thick can be used as an expression to describe someone of a lower intelligence.

 

So, two short planks together = rather thick......

 

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TeacherPermalink Reply by English Teacher Jamie on April 10, 2012 at 15:46

This is what I thought, but there is usually more to the sayings than that. The story about the planks in the mud also makes sense. I like that reason better!

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Permalink Reply by Johnny Simpson on April 10, 2012 at 13:04

Another reason could be from the 1st World War.  

The British artillery guns had to be supported on two short planks of wood to stop sinking into the mud.

To this day the British Royal Artillery are call planks and within military circles it is taken for granted that their  IQ or intelligence is not that high.

So one can say that the phrase thick as two short planks, has possibly come from the battle fields of France and over time has become a common use in everyday English. Especially after many of the British Royal Artillery went back to normal working life after the 1st World War, where the saying would have been spoken in wider circles (community).

Hope this is of use :)

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Permalink Reply by ika pescaprae on April 11, 2012 at 2:21

waw...it is very interesting discussion, thank you Johny&teacher Jamie.
:)
Now, I really understand and I think it seem we learn about linguistics.
Every word, idiom, and etc has it's own history, doesn't it?
No one was born thick as 2 short planks, it is just about passion to learn and understand.

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TeacherPermalink Reply by English Teacher Jamie on April 11, 2012 at 14:19

The history of words and idioms is an interesting subject. Teacher Johnny is studying linguistics at university. He's written a couple of blogs about the history of the English language if you are interested! I don't think anyone is as thick as 2 short planks all the time. I think that many of us (myself included) have our moments when our brains are switched off!

 

Check out John's blogs here:

Origins of the English Language

The Period of Middle English

 

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Permalink Reply by ika pescaprae on April 14, 2012 at 6:05

Oh I see teacher this idiom to ask someone who do something stupid for a moment not all her/his time?..

I think we can remember easily foreign languange by learning the history. It is more impression on the mind.

Thank you teacher jamie...I have some question about english word to teacher Simpson

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TeacherPermalink Reply by English Teacher Jamie on April 15, 2012 at 16:44

It is usually used to describe the personality of someone. Someone can be as thick as 2 short planks all the time or just for a moment! Teacher Johnnie Simpson will be happy to answer your questions. :)

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Permalink Reply by Una on June 18, 2012 at 13:24

Some of our greatest and richest superstars have been as thick as two planks

 

just put example,i don't mean to offend someone.O(∩_∩)O~

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TeacherPermalink Reply by English Teacher Jamie on June 20, 2012 at 14:50

That's very true here as well Una!

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