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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 01-Nov-2007, 15:34
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Smile Well fed, well bred.

Well fed, well bred.



What does the above saying try to convey to you? Is it still commonly used? Thanks.
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Old 01-Nov-2007, 16:53
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Default Re: Well fed, well bred.

Quote:
Originally Posted by angliholic View Post
Well fed, well bred.



What does the above saying try to convey to you? Is it still commonly used? Thanks.
Hi, Angli!

I do not think 'Well fed, well bred' is still a commonly used expression. The phrase implies that if a person is well fed he/she probably comes from a family that is wealthy and/or has status in society. Today, being well fed does not necessarily mean that an individual has developed the social or intellectual skills that are associated with the 'Well fed, well bred' sentiment. I know many people who eat well but still have the breeding of a toad!

Cheers,
Amigos4
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Old 01-Nov-2007, 16:55
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Default Re: Well fed, well bred.

I wouldn't say its used very often.

It means if a person is fed well they are brought up well.

Being fed well (or well fed) can mean two things: the first is that they eat a lot of food, the second is that they eat healthily.
In that idiom, people are usually refering to the latter, that they eat a lot.
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Old 01-Nov-2007, 17:25
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Default Re: Well fed, well bred.

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Originally Posted by Niall View Post
I wouldn't say its used very often.

It means if a person is fed well they are brought up well.

Being fed well (or well fed) can mean two things: the first is that they eat a lot of food, the second is that they eat healthily.
In that idiom, people are usually refering to the latter, that they eat a lot.
Hi, Niall!

Please clarify your statement: 'In that idiom, people are usually refering to the latter, that they eat a lot.' Wouldn't 'they eat a lot' be the former, rather than the latter?

Thanks!

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Old 01-Nov-2007, 17:33
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Default Re: Well fed, well bred.

Yes, yes it would! That'll teach me for not looking over my answer.
My mistake! :P
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Old 02-Nov-2007, 04:10
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Default Re: Well fed, well bred.

Quote:
Originally Posted by amigos4 View Post
Hi, Angli!

I do not think 'Well fed, well bred' is still a commonly used expression. The phrase implies that if a person is well fed he/she probably comes from a family that is wealthy and/or has status in society. Today, being well fed does not necessarily mean that an individual has developed the social or intellectual skills that are associated with the 'Well fed, well bred' sentiment. I know many people who eat well but still have the breeding of a toad!

Cheers,
Amigos4
Thanks, Amigos and Niall, for your helpful responses.
As a aside, what does the breeding of a toad refer to?
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Old 02-Nov-2007, 16:22
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Default Re: Well fed, well bred.

Quote:
Originally Posted by angliholic View Post
Thanks, Amigos and Niall, for your helpful responses.
As a aside, what does the breeding of a toad refer to?
Hi, Angli!

The toad is not known for its beauty or its intelligence. Therefore, when comparing 'the breeding of a toad' to the personality/upbringing of an individual, it is not mean to be a compliment to the person. Now, it would be significantly more complimentary to compare a person's breeding to the 'breeding of a thoroughbred racehorse.'

Cheers,
Amigos4
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Old 02-Nov-2007, 22:55
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Default Re: Well fed, well bred.

Thanks, Amigos.
Got it.
For the sake of curiosity, do you, native speakers, often compare "the breeding of a toad" to that of a person? To wit, is it very commonly used?
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Old 03-Nov-2007, 05:57
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Default Re: Well fed, well bred.

Quote:
Originally Posted by angliholic View Post
Thanks, Amigos.
Got it.
For the sake of curiosity, do you, native speakers, often compare "the breeding of a toad" to that of a person? To wit, is it very commonly used?
Angli,

The poor toad is often the subject of ridicule in the US. What animal would represent poor breeding in Taiwan?

Cheers,
Amigos4
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Old 03-Nov-2007, 06:09
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Default Re: Well fed, well bred.

The poor innocent pig is usually the victim when people here need to compare poor breeding.
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