🍏 Apples and Oranges: And Other Analogous Oddities 🍊
Ah, handshakes! Those casual gestures carrying a world of meaning. But did you know they can also “press the flesh”? This phrase, originating in the bustling campaign trails of the 1920s, is as evocative and tactile as they come. Let’s delve into the sometimes clammy, often heartfelt, but always significant world of pressing the flesh.
Related and Similar Terms: 🤝
- Grip and grin: A cheeky way to express the act of shaking hands, often accompanied by a big smile.
- Rub elbows: To socialize or hang out with someone, especially those in higher social or professional circles.
- Glad-hand: A term frequently associated with insincere friendliness, especially by politicians trying to impress.
- Shake hands with destiny: Greeting with enthusiasm what the future brings.
Synonyms:
- Shake hands
- Greet warmly
- Engage physically in greeting
Antonyms:
- Cold-shoulder
- Ignore
- Snub
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “Politicians: experts at pressing the flesh, and sometimes getting caught with their hand in the cookie jar.”
- “Pressing the flesh: because saying ‘hello’ loudly just isn’t enough sometimes.”
Proverbs and Common Phrases:
- “A handshake is worth a thousand words”: Just like a picture!
- “First impressions last”: And oftentimes, they start with a good handshake.
Literature and Media Recommendations:
-
Books:
- “Never Shake a Family Tree” by Jane Battenberg
- “The Origins of Political Order” by Francis Fukuyama
-
Songs:
- “Shake Hands with a Poor Boy” by Iris DeMent
- “Hello Hello” by Johnny Nash
-
Movies:
- “The Politician’s Guide to Handshakes” (fictitious but sounds fun, right?)
- “The Campaign” (2012, a comedy starring Will Ferrell)
-
Poetry:
- Excerpt from “Handshakes” by Joshua Bennett
Quizzes
Ready to test your knowledge and shake things up a bit? Here we go!
### Which of these is a real idiom?
- [ ] Shaking trees without fruit
- [ ] Tickling the crowd
- [x] Press the flesh
- [ ] Patting the pickles
> **Explanation:** "Press the flesh" is indeed a real idiom that means to shake hands or greet people warmly, often associated with politicians. The rest are figments of whimsical imagination.
### What's another term for "press the flesh"?
- [x] Grip and grin
- [ ] Bow the knees
- [ ] Chuckle and jive
- [ ] Quilt the crowd
> **Explanation:** "Grip and grin" is another cheeky term for the act of handshaking and making people feel welcome, often used in political or networking contexts.
### True or False: The phrase "press the flesh" dates back to the 1920s.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Absolutely true! "Press the flesh" emerged in the 1920s, especially in the context of politicians interacting with potential voters.
### Pick the synonym for “press the flesh.”
- [x] Shake hands
- [ ] Rub the elbows
- [ ] Jiggle the joints
- [ ] Nudge the knack
> **Explanation:** "Shake hands" is the most accurate synonym for "press the flesh," which means to engage physically in greeting someone.
### Fill in the blank: "In politics, it's essential to __________ the flesh."
- [x] press
- [ ] rub
- [ ] pat
- [ ] knead
> **Explanation:** In politics, it's common to say "press the flesh," meaning to meet and greet voters by handshaking.
Inspirational Farewell:
As you traverse the web of social and political interactions, let your handshakes be firm, your greetings genuine, and your connections meaningful. Remember, a single handshake can bridge worlds and carve paths to new adventures. Until next time!
- Ella Lighthearted
