[General] Throw a kettle over a pub

[patran]

Dear teachers

I don't understand the expression of "throw a kettle over a pub" in the following context.

Finchy is a travelling Sales Rep and David’s partner in debauched crime. His rare appearances in the office consist of unprintable language and innuendo. He is unfathomably successful with women.He also has a tendency to link his masculinity and sense of self worth to his ability to win at the office Quiz Night. He is not nice. However he can throw a kettle over a pub.


Regards

Anthony

 

[bhaisahab]

Dear teachers

I don't understand the expression of "throw a kettle over a pub" in the following context.

Finchy is a travelling Sales Rep and David’s partner in debauched crime. His rare appearances in the office consist of unprintable language and innuendo. He is unfathomably successful with women.He also has a tendency to link his masculinity and sense of self worth to his ability to win at the office Quiz Night. He is not nice. However he can throw a kettle over a pub.


Regards

Anthony

It means literally what it says, he is able to throw a kettle over a pub. Do you know what a kettle is? And a pub?

 

[patran]

Hi Bhasia, I know what is a kettle and a pub, but I have no idea if the expression is a compliment or something negative on Finchy.

 

[susiedq]

It's some kind of idiomatic expression, but I can't find the source of it. (Australian, 1500's?)


It has been used in dialogue on the British TV comedy, "The Office" and "Seinfield."

It might be a gaming term.

 

[SirGod]

* Not a teacher

I think you should take it literally.

The World of Ricky Gervais' The Office: Supply Room

Kettle over pub throwing competition Just how hard is it to throw a kettle over a pub while your mate waits round the back to confirm it? Delayed for the moment.

Office, The (2001)

The landlord of the Lamb pub in Chichester
challenges me to throw one of these copper kettles over his pub.
...
- Or a kettle? - No, the equivalent. Coconut.
I will throw anything you choose over this building.
...
So if he can throw it over, we've won the champagne,
- and that was the real quiz. - Choose one thing.

 

[bhaisahab]

Hi Bhasia, I know what is a kettle and a pub, but I have no idea if the expression is a compliment or something negative on Finchy.

It's not negative in itself. Finchy is a thoroughly unpleasant person, the fact that he is able to throw a kettle over a pub doesn't affect that at all.

 

[patran]

Hi Bhasiahab, so the expression is like: "Finchy is also good at squash"? some additional information?

 

[bhaisahab]

Hi Bhasiahab, so the expression is like: "Finchy is also good at squash"? some additional information?

Yes.

 

[BobSmith]

It's some kind of idiomatic expression, but I can't find the source of it. (Australian, 1500's?)

It has been used in dialogue on the British TV comedy, "The Office" and "Seinfield."

It might be a gaming term.

I would like to see a citation for this if you find it. I've seen all the Seinfeld episodes and don't recall this. When it was used in "The Office", it seemed like it came from the situation, not an idiomatic phrase.

 

[bhaisahab]

I would like to see a citation for this if you find it. I've seen all the Seinfeld episodes and don't recall this. When it was used in "The Office", it seemed like it came from the situation, not an idiomatic phrase.

It's not an idiomatic phrase. Not in BrE anyway.

 

[SoothingDave]

No, it's not idiomatic in AmE either (and I don't recall it in Seinfeld either). If I recall correctly, Finch did try to throw some object over the pub in this Office episode. Further demonstrating that the phrase is meant quite literally.

 

[BobSmith]

It was Tim's shoes