"round and back and forth"

I would appreciate if any suggestion could be made on the following.

"Drinks went round and back and forth and no one asked for water."

What is "went round and back and forth" expressing here?

In my comprehension, I think this is capturing the movement of
the glass of beer drunk people (at the party) are waving as they
can't stay straight.

To mention, this is a poem.

Grateful for your help.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by sfari

I would appreciate if any suggestion could be made on the following.

"Drinks went round and back and forth and no one asked for water."

What is "went round and back and forth" expressing here?

In my comprehension, I think this is capturing the movement of
the glass of beer drunk people (at the party) are waving as they
can't stay straight.

To mention, this is a poem.

Grateful for your help.

Drinks went around the table (rounds of drinks were bought; everyone was given a drink, and then more drinks)

Drinks went back and forth (people extended their glasses forward in cheer and then drew their glasses back again to drink; people bought drinks for each other (i.e. A gives a drink to B and in return B gives a drink to A); people sent their empty glasses back to the bar to be refilled.

[kk]

(Topic establisher)

A thousand thanks for your abundant answers.

Maybe as it says "but no one asked for water",
the "back and forth" part means they "went repeated back
to the bar to be refilled" (your 3'd suggestion).

As this (the poem) is talking about a party where I think
they give out free drinks, "drinks went round" might mean
"people had free drinks".

To sum the quesses, maybe the poem can be rewritten:
"People enjoyed free drinks one after another but no one
asked for water."

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by kk

(Topic establisher)

A thousand thanks for your abundant answers.

Maybe as it says "but no one asked for water",
the "back and forth" part means they "went repeated back
to the bar to be refilled" (your 3'd suggestion).

As this (the poem) is talking about a party where I think
they give out free drinks, "drinks went round" might mean
"people had free drinks".

To sum the quesses, maybe the poem can be rewritten:
"People enjoyed free drinks one after another but no one
asked for water."

To go round and back and forth is also used to describe a ride at an amusement park; the scene is one of joy, happiness; it's carefree (i.e., when you are on a ride, you lose all direction and control). Drinking is similar, according to the author of the poem. :wink:

No one asked for water--people ask for water when they want to stop drinking, when the want to sober up; no one wanted to stop drinking, though. :D They were having a great time drinking.

Consider these:

The ride went round and back and forth, and no matter how dizzy we got, no one asked the person in charge to stop the ride so we could get off. We all wanted to stay on.

The drinks went round and back and forth, and no matter how drunk we got, no one asked the bartended to stop pouring the drinks and serve water so we could sober up. We all wanted to stay drunk.

[kk]

Thank you for your rich suggestions.

I think I will go with,

"The drinks went round and back and forth, and no matter how drunk we got, no one asked the bartended to stop pouring the drinks, and serve water, so we could sober up. We all wanted to stay drunk.[/quote]"

It most suits the content I think. :D

You have been more than helpful.
Thank you again.

[Casiopea]

You're welcome. :)