[General] catch (touch or get) somebody on the raw

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vil

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Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your considered opinion concerning the interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

….he was…given to gently touching people on the raw, but he did it with a good-natured semi-conscious air that carried it off safely, and kept him from getting into trouble. (M. Twain, “Pudd’nhead Wilson”)

catch (touch or get) somebody on the raw = touch someone on the tender spot

V.
 

emsr2d2

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Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your considered opinion concerning the interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

….he was…given to gently touching people on the raw, but he did it with a good-natured semi-conscious air that carried it off safely, and kept him from getting into trouble. (M. Twain, “Pudd’nhead Wilson”)

catch (touch or get) somebody on the raw = touch someone on the tender spot

V.

I think you're right but I think they're talking metaphorically, not physically. Perhaps he touches people in a sore spot emotionally - he can mention something that makes them a little uncomfortable or that is emotionally painful for them but he does it in such a way that they don't get upset about it.
 
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