butter in mouth

[MadHorse]

This is a comment about a film critic I read online (the topic of their discussion : Is Leonard Maltin too tough a critic?):
"......Maltin?....Butter wouldn't melt in his mouth."
Does that mean Maltin doesn't have a good word to say?
Just my wild guess.

[Tdol]

If someone looks very innocent, they look as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouth.

[MadHorse]

But how come butter wouldn't melt in innocent people's mouths?

[Tdol]

Not enough heat and passion?

[MadHorse]

Thanks. You have a good day.

[Tdol]

You too.

[ebb]

It means the person is mean-spirited, cold and never has a good word to say about anyone: a misanthrope. He's so cold, that even butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.

[Tdol]

Ebb- where in the States are you from? Your definition isvery different from the one I'd use (I'm from the UK). Would your definition be the default one there? If so, it's an interesting difference between the two Englishes.

[ebb]

the South, but it's the same all over. Interesting... makes for some fun miscommunication.

Here's an apocryphal one about US President Calvin Coolidge -- known as "Silent Cal" -- he may have been a candidate for the non-melting-mouth.

Lady at Party: "Oh, Mr President, you're so gracious, and my friend bet me that I couldn't get you to say three words to me !!"
Cal: "You lose."

[Johan[@CLT]]

Hi peeps,

I have been following this thread with great interest, but as tdol has already pointed out him/herself The UK and US meaning are each others contrast. I'm very fond of using and learning new expressions, so what is the correct meaning of this saying ?

Thanks in advance