I would not touch him with a barge-pole

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

I was so ragged and dirty that you wouldn’t have touched me with pair of tongs. (Dickens’ “Hard Times”)

I would not touch him with a barge-pole = I would not touch him with pair of tongs = don't want to make common cause with him; he’s a very odious/ lousy person; I hate even to come close to him

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V

[lauralie2]

Dear teachers,

Would you tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

I was so ragged and dirty that you wouldn’t have touched me with pair of tongue. (Dickens’ “Hard Times”)

I would not touch him with a barge-pole = I would not touch him with pair of tongue = don't want to make common cause with him; he’s a very odious/ lousy person; I hate even to come close to him

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V

More modern, "I wouldn't touch him with a ten-foot pole."

See here
and here.

[5jj]

You are right in your interpretation, Vil, but I wonder if the quote from Dickens should read 'a pair of tongs'?

Tongs were often used for picking up very hot things, i.e. things you would want to keep at a distance. A barge pole is a long pole used to propel a barge. In both cases, an instrument used to keep things at a distance would not be long enough to keep away a dirty/unpleasant/hateful person.

More modern people such as lauralie2 might prefer a ten-foot pole, but we old-timers (I'm 64) prefer a barge pole.

[vil]

Hi fivejedjon,

Thank you for your amendment.

I beg your pardon for my unmeant foolish mistake. I was mislead by the close sounding if the “tongs” and “tongue”.

Between you and me you are well-night in my age. I am 67 years old now but unfortunately I have begun to study English just since 2004, i.e. I have studied English only for the last 6 years of my existing life. This accounts my tedious imperfection.

Thank you again for your kindness.

V.

[Tullia]

More modern people such as lauralie2 might prefer a ten-foot pole, but we old-timers (I'm 64) prefer a barge pole.

I'm only 30, and I'd go with barge-pole automatically too! Perhaps it's a regional difference? I'm from an area rich in canals; are you?


(I love being able to say I'm "only" 30!)