western australia

Killing it or murdering it?

@JudyEv (382658)

Rockingham, Australia

November 2, 2023 6:18pm CST

Do you ever say ‘you’re killing it’ to someone meaning they’re really doing it well and easily? It’s meant as an encouraging or complimentary comment. We watched Linda Ronstadt on YouTube singing Blue Bayou and Vin remarked that she was ‘killing it’. We then talked about how, is he’d said she’d murdered it, it would have meant just the opposite. Language is a funny thing, isn’t it? The photo is of a Gleditsia at our previous property.

24 people like this

24 responses

@RebeccasFarm (91297)

• United States

3 Nov 23

A lovely pllace there that Gleditsia where you were. Yes a funny thing isn't it?

I found when I came back to the States from other countries and had picked up lingo there, people looked at me funny saying it over here.

5 people like this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

No doubt every country has its own idioms. Some seem very strange to an outsider.

1 person likes this

@FourWalls (86901)

• United States

3 Nov 23

The late American comedian Gallagher, best known for smashing watermelons with his “Sledge-o-Matic,” used to do a bit about how strange English is. He went through things like, “D-O is “do, so why is G-O not pronounced goo?”

4 people like this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

And how many pronunciations are there of 'ou'? Cough, thought, would, plough, dough, rough - I think that's about it.

1 person likes this

@much2say (57760)

• Los Angeles, California

3 Nov 23

I've heard people say that and thought it was the strangest thing to say (from when, I don't know . . . but some time back). Now I find myself "thinking" that . . . maybe soon I'll actually say it. I'll be killing it

.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

Don't get too carried away with odd expressions or you might find yourself having to explain them! lol

@rebelann (117281)

• El Paso, Texas

3 Nov 23

I never even thought of that phrase like that. I wonder what the babies of today will come up with. Hmmmmm

1 person likes this

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@rebelann (117281)

• El Paso, Texas

5 Nov 23

You're right. I wonder what English will sound like 100 years from now ..... we could come back as ghosts to find out though

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

No doubt they will come up with a whole heap of expressions that probably won't mean much to us older folk.

1 person likes this

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@LadyDuck (502886)

• Italy

3 Nov 23

Well, this is not something we would ever say in Italian. I never thought to use it in English, surely because I compare to my native language.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

Every country has its own idioms. One that sticks in my mind is Malu saying 'I feel my tummy tickled' which we wouldn't say here.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (502886)

• Italy

5 Nov 23

@JudyEv - I agree, Malu often mention that German saying that I would also not say here.

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

4 Nov 23

I hadn't thought about it, but you're right. What you say and how you say it can encourage you.

1 person likes this

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

6 Nov 23

@JudyEv Yes, it is.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

It's a bit strange that two words that usually mean the same can suddenly be opposites.

1 person likes this

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@BarBaraPrz (51839)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

3 Nov 23

And why do some people say they could "murder a cup of tea" when all they want is to drink one?

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

It's a strange language, that's for sure.

1 person likes this

@snowy22315 (209193)

• United States

4 Nov 23

Yeah, and you understand now why it is so difficult for people to learn English...so many nuances, and rules that don't make a lot of sense.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

So true. It must be a nightmare.

@Tampa_girl7 (54740)

• United States

5 Nov 23

Yes, language is very funny.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Nov 23

No wonder it's hard to learn a new language.

@paigea (36143)

• Canada

3 Nov 23

Language is funny. We have the same expressions here.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

They must seem very strange to outsiders.

1 person likes this

@paigea (36143)

• Canada

5 Nov 23

@JudyEv I agree. Even to kids sometimes.

1 person likes this

@Shiva49 (28401)

• Singapore

3 Nov 23

I think both should have the same intent and meaning.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

I agree they should but in this case they don't. What a strange language English can be.

1 person likes this

@nela13 (59365)

• Portugal

3 Nov 23

We don't have that expression in portuguese. All languages have funny expressions.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

Yes, I'm sure they do. It's a lifelong task to speak a second language like a native speaker.

@LindaOHio (222898)

• United States

3 Nov 23

We say the same thing here. Yes, Linda really kills it with Blue Bayou. That's a gorgeous tree. Hope you and Vince have a wonderful day.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

We do say the oddest things sometimes.

1 person likes this

@Beestring (15372)

• Hong Kong

3 Nov 23

English is my second language. I try to simple and direct words or phase to avoid misunderstanding.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

That's the best way I think unless you know for certain that what you are saying will be understood easily.

@rsa101 (41086)

• Philippines

3 Nov 23

It is amusing that certain words can have dual meanings; all you have to do is look at how they are used.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

I'm sure there are lots of similar examples.

@AmbiePam (121179)

• United States

3 Nov 23

You persuade me to think about language a lot.

Then, I go off on a journey in my mind…

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

Enjoy your travels!!

But language is quite fascinating sometimes, isn't it?

1 person likes this

Vicki, #1 Creek Girl

@1creekgirl (44560)

• United States

3 Nov 23

I've never liked the expression "killing time." Time is too precious.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

I hear what you're saying. I really don't know where October went. It simply flew by.

1 person likes this

Vicki, #1 Creek Girl

@1creekgirl (44560)

• United States

3 Nov 23

The English language truly can be weird.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

Very weird indeed. It must be hard for people trying to fit in and use some of the idioms we use.

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (69247)

• Centralia, Washington

3 Nov 23

That's a lovely tree. Ronstadt's singing of that song makes me weepy eyed.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

'Killing Me Softly' is another great song. I think she sings that too.

1 person likes this

@MarieCoyle (59402)

•

3 Nov 23

I always thought it was really strange that some people say ''I'm pooped!'' My family didn't say that for some reason, I recall when I was little wondering why the ''grown-ups'' were pooping their pants!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382658)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 23

Yes!! 'Pooped' must be a really strange expression for those trying to learn English.

1 person likes this