for the birds, it’s/that’s
Definition:
It’s useless, worthless; not to be taken seriously. This slangy Americanism dates from the first half of the twentieth century and crossed the Atlantic after World War II. One writer suggests it alludes to droppings left by the horses of horse-drawn carriages, from which small birds would extract the seeds. If this source is correct, the expression is a euphemism for “horseshit.”🏇💩
Synonyms:
- Useless
- Worthless
- Insignificant
- Unimportant
- Frivolous
Antonyms:
- Valuable
- Important
- Significant
- Worthwhile
- Meaningful
Related and Similar Expressions:
- “Not worth a hill of beans” - Also means something that is not valuable or important at all.
- “A dime a dozen” - Indicates that something is very common and, thus, not valuable.
- “Chickenfeed” - Refers to something of little value, usually in context of money.
Quotes to Ponder:
“Some things are for the birds. High heels and tight pants? Clipped the wings off my ambitions!” – L. Ruff implorebird
“That meeting was completely for the birds. Next time, send a pigeon!” – Office comedian
Educational and Fun References: 📚🎬🎵
Books:
- “The Joy of Lex” by Gyles Brandreth – A delightful romp through the quirks and quips of English language.
- “Eats, Shoots & Leaves” by Lynne Truss – A humorous take on punctuation that illuminates the oddities of English expressions.
Movies:
- The Birds (1963) – Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. While not about idioms, let’s just say language isn’t the only thing going for the birds here.
- Mary Poppins (1964) – The song “Feed the Birds” may help put things into emotional context about seemingly trivial acts.
Songs:
- “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd – For when you need a break from all the nonsense.
- “Blackbird” by The Beatles – To remind us all that even what seems meaningless might possess hidden value.
Poetry:
- “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou – Though deeper in its meaning, the “bird” here might inspire ways of giving things weight and value.
Idiomatic Usage:
Example Sentences:
- The latest gadget claimed to revolutionize productivity but turned out to be completely for the birds.
- Don’t waste your time on that project—it’s entirely for the birds.
Fun Quiz Time! 🧠✨
Inspirational Farewell Thought:
May all your endeavors be intentional and worthwhile, never settling for what is “for the birds,” but aiming high like the loftiest eagle.
So long, linguistic fliers! 🚀🦅
Wishing you sky-high aspirations and eagle-eyed perceptions, A. Tweedey Feathers
(Published on October 2nd, 2023)
