Very Rapid(ly): Greased Lightning 🛠️⚡
Definition: To move with exceptional speed. This phrase “like greased lightning” heightens the sense of haste compared to the older “like lightning.”
Origin: The imagery of lightning’s speed has been utilized since the 16th century to describe anything swift. Authored by Ben Jonson, “It must be done like lightning,” appeared in Every Man in His Humour in 1598. By the early 19th century, the addition of “greased” amplified the swiftness, first appearing in print in the Boston Herald of 1833.
Synonyms:
- Quick as a flash
- Faster than a bullet
- Rapid as a cheetah
Antonyms:
- Slow as molasses
- At a snail’s pace
- Leisurely
Quirky Quote: “Trying to catch them was like trying to catch greased lightning. Spoiler: lightning does not enjoy being greased.”
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Be like greased lightning—a spark in your step can light up the world around you.
Related Expresions
Like a Blue Streak 🌪️🌀
Definition: To describe something (or someone) that moves or talks very quickly and intensely.
Origin: The phrase “like a blue streak” initially denoted extraordinary speed around the 1830s and transformed, mid-1800s, to articulate fast, intense speech. A vivid mention, “talking a blue streak,” emerged in an 1895 letter by S. Hale.
Synonyms:
- Talking a mile a minute
- Talking incessantly
- Yakking tirelessly
Antonyms:
- Speaking slowly
- Tampering silence
- Mulling over each word
Curious Riddle: Why did the pepper go “like a blue streak”? Because it couldn’t cayenne it’s enthusiasm! 🌶️
See Also:
- Talk One’s Head Off: Speak fervently or excessively.
- Quick As a Wink: Faster than you can blink an eye.
Recommended Consuming Material:
Books & Literature:
- “Speed Cleaning: Tips and Tricks to Clean Your Fast-Paced Life” by Polly Meester
- “You Can’t Rush Perfection” by Imma Snail
Songs:
- “Don’t Blink” by Kenny Chesney
- “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman
Movies:
- Days of Thunder 🏎️
- Speed 🚍
Inspirational Thought📜:
“May your days be like greased lightning, full of vigour and zeal, blazing trails everyone else can wait to admire.” - W. T. Wittywords
Farewell Note ✨
“Keep your thoughts racing, your feet quickening, and your stories flying ‘like a blue streak.’ Remember, your swift actions may just blaze a trail for others to follow.” 🚀
