Tom and Jerry

[Nazmul Hassan]

-Thomas, if you are a mouse catcher, I'm Lana Turner, which I'm not.

This sentence has been taken from 'tom and jerry'. This sentence is very strange for me. First, the speaker has said that she is Lana Turner, but later she is saying- she is not Lana Turner.

Please, clarify this fact.

Thanks in advance.

 

[teechar]

Re: tom and jerry

It means: it's just as impossible for you (Tom the cat) to be a successful mouse catcher, as it is for me (Jerry the mouse) to be Lana Turner!

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: tom and jerry

'Tom and Jerry' should be capitalised.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Nazmul Hassan:

Just a gentle reminder that this kind of sentence is both humorous and insulting.

In my opinion, you should not use this kind of sentence, except with very close friends who will not be offended.

For example, if a mechanic does a very bad job on your car, do NOT tell him (or her!):

"If you are an auto mechanic, then I am a brain surgeon."

 

[Matthew Wai]

Could the sentence be rewritten as 'Thomas, if you were a competent mouse catcher, then I would be Lana Turner, who I could never be.'?

 

[MikeNewYork]

If the mechanic did a very bad job, I would say worse. :2gunfire:

 

[mawes12]

I thought Lana Turner meant she isn't a mouse catcher.

 

[Barb_D]

A modern equivalent could be "If you're a (whatever), I'm Taylor Swift."

Clearly, I am NOT Taylor Swift, so you must not be a (whatever) you think the person is bad at.