Re: find one's sea legs

[thedaffodils]

After several days on board, I found my sea legs and no longer felt seasick

I understand the idiom - find one's sea legs. But does it make sense if I say, "My sister is born to have no car legs, she always feels sick whenever she smells gasoline."?

Thanks!

[BobK]

It doesn't make sense in a car, because people in a car aren't standing up. 'Finding your sea-legs' isn't just 'getting used to being at sea'. It's learning to compensate for the ship's movement unconsciously, by adjusting your weight in such a way that you don't feel the deck moving. When you have found your sea-legs the unmoving ground - when you go ashore - feels odd. You'll feel this after even a fairly short trip on a sea-going ferry.

b

[thedaffodils]

Ahoy BobK,

Thank you very much for often dragging me out from a sea of questions. Without exception, you gave me a hand again this time.

[Ouisch]

In AmE, there is such a thing as being "car sick." Some people get nauseous riding in an automobile, much like people get seasick when aboard a boat. And if they are already feeling a little bit queasy, the aroma of gasoline might just send them over the edge and running for a rest room (or airsickness bag). So in your example, it might be appropriate to say "My sister is not built for long road trips; she always gets car sick."

[thedaffodils]

Hi Ouisch,

Thank you very much for your help! This forum rocks. Many angel sightings.