Ahoy, language enthusiasts! 🛳️ Ready to set sail with a cliché that’s as old as the seven seas? Allow me to regale you with the tale of “Try fooling some more gullible person, because I won’t fall for that story.”
What does it mean?
The saying, commonly known in modern parlance as “That will do for the Marines but sailors won’t believe it,” is used to indicate skepticism towards an obviously far-fetched story. It’s essentially a polite way of calling someone gullible, especially marines in the historical context.
An Ocean of History 🌊
But where did this phrase originate? Let’s chart our course back to early 1800s Britain:
1800s Britain: Mariners often regarded Marines as gullible, inexperienced greenhorns. This nautical scorn manifested in phrases that expressed disbelief at a story, suitable only for the ‘unsuspecting’ Marines but not for the seasoned sailors.
1823 Byron: Lord Byron, the famed British poet, immortalized this phrase in The Island—“That will do for the Marines but sailors won’t believe it.” Byron himself noted that even by that time, this was already an established saying.
Similar Expressions & Related Terms 🌐
- “Pull the wool over someone’s eyes” - To deceive someone.
- “Gullible as a guppy” (Non-standard, contemporary playful usage) - Extremely gullible.
- “Take that with a pinch of salt” - To view skeptically or with reservation.
- “Sell someone a bill of goods” - To deceive someone, typically with false promises.
Wishlist of Language Exploration 📚
Synonyms:
- Credulous
- Naive
- Trusting
Antonyms:
- Skeptical
- Doubting
- Cynical
Nautical Wisdom 🚢
Proverb: “A calm sea never made a skilled sailor.” — Often used to illustrate that challenges build competence.
Humor-filled Quote: “If you believe that, i have an oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you.”
Anchored References:
- Literature: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, which explores the tensions and camaraderie between sailors and other maritime personnel.
- Songs: “What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?” – A traditional seafaring tune that has humor embedded in its lyrics.
- Movies: “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” which portrays sailor life in the 1800s marines.
Sail Away with Quizzes! 🚢📜
Smoothing a final caress of polish on our veteran cliché, let’s leave with a parting thought—sometimes, the age-old phrases guide us through treacherous conversational waters and help us differentiate the sharks from the guppies. Fare thee well on your linguistic voyages!
Sal T. Wavecrest 🌊
“Keep an eye on the horizon, but always doubt the mirage.”
