Flat as a washboard

[Williamyh]

Hi Everybody,

I'd like to know what the actual meaning of "flat as a washboard" is? I watched the TV episodes, someone said "I mean, you're flat as a washboard. You look awesome." As flat as a washboard is not used to describe breasts?? How come she said you look awesome? it seems to be a good meaning....please advise...


W

[Tdol]

Flat stomach.

[billmcd]

I wouldn't consider a washboard as being flat. It has more of a rippled surface but the speaker could be referring to abdominal muscles ("abs" in current lingo) that when they are in perfect condition, they appear to be rippled.

[Searching for language]

I wouldn't consider a washboard as being flat. It has more of a rippled surface but the speaker could be referring to abdominal muscles ("abs" in current lingo) that when they are in perfect condition, they appear to be rippled.

"Washboard abs" is certainly a better description than flat as a washboard, for a washboard is not flat. Whoever wrote the dialogue for that TV show has probably never seen an actual washboard!

I am not a teacher.

[misiania]

You are being picky here
I also heard the term 'flat as ironing board' - describing flat stomach. Don't forget, not everyone has visible abs. Some have flat stomach but no 'six pack'

Not teacher.

[Searching for language]

I don't think I'm being picky at all. A washboard is not flat. An ironing board is.

[magimagicE]

... A washboard is not flat. An ironing board is.

I think that is the whole point of the phrase - you are meant to deduce that it is not flat, because to do otherwise would be ludicrous.

Observe the following conversation:

Person1: Schrödinger's cat, ...in a sealed box remains both alive and dead until the box is opened... Do you understand? Was it clear?

Person2: As clear as mud.

[Tdol]

"Washboard abs" is certainly a better description than flat as a washboard, for a washboard is not flat. Whoever wrote the dialogue for that TV show has probably never seen an actual washboard!

Quite possibly not, but I think the flatness they mean, regardless of muscle tone, is in contrast to bulging fat stomachs.

[Ouisch]

Traditionally, in AmE, "flat as a washboard" would be used to describe a women with small (or non-discernable) breasts. It is a common insult or taunt used by adolescent boys to tease the adolescent girls who haven't "developed" yet.

"Washboard abs" refer to not only a flat stomach, but a very muscularly defined flat stomach, so that there are visible ridges, not unlike those found on a washboard.

[BobK]

Traditionally, in AmE, "flat as a washboard" would be used to describe a women with small (or non-discernable) breasts. It is a common insult or taunt used by adolescent boys to tease the adolescent girls who haven't "developed" yet.
...

Aha, that's it.

I think Williamyh heard it as positive -

Hi Everybody,

I'd like to know what the actual meaning of "flat as a washboard" is? I watched the TV episodes, someone said "I mean, you're flat as a washboard. You look awesome." As flat as a washboard is not used to describe breasts?? How come she said you look awesome? it seems to be a good meaning....please advise...


W

- because from time to time (I'm not up to date with these things ) breasts both big and small are fashionable. In British culture, and I think American. Perhaps in W's culture fashionable breasts are always big; pity the women

b