Well fed, well bred.

[angliholic]

Well fed, well bred.



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

[amigos4]

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

[Niall]

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.

[amigos4]

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!

Cheers,
Amigos4

[Niall]

Yes, yes it would! That'll teach me for not looking over my answer.
My mistake! :P

[angliholic]

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?

[amigos4]

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

[angliholic]

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?

[amigos4]

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

[angliholic]

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