 |
THE CRACK IN HIS BUTT,
AS OPPOSED TO CRACKING HIS BUTT.
(THANKFULLY, NO ONE I KNOW.) |
That's really what the man said. We were at Los Niños Del Flor for breakfast (something new and different) and we commented on how busy the restaurant always is and how diligently — and happily — the staff all work. It's a big place. The owners and staff hustle. They joke and smile all the time. Service is just about instantaneous. We never have to wait for a thing; not even the freshly squeezed orange juice. And the tables are always full. They put in long days and they always seem happy to see everyone that walks in the door.
San Geraldo said, "They're crackin' their butts."
I laughed.
San Geraldo laughed.
Then he asked (of course), "What's it supposed to be?"
I explained that I thought he might have combined the expressions, "They're cracking the whip" with "They're
breaking their butts." I said that if he had enunciated correctly (i.e., "cracking" as opposed to "crackin'") he might have gotten away with it.
I don't know if it's a peculiarly British expression, but we often hear the phrase 'builder's bum', referring usually to when a workman's jeans or trousers slips down (like in your pic) a bit lower than the wearer himself realises. From the look of this guy I think you'd have been right to tell him to pull them up!
ReplyDeleteRaybeard:
DeleteIn the USA, it's "plumber's crack." As for this guy by the river, you should have seen the woman he was with! (Well, perhaps not.)
Get crackin'! LOL! That's what we say around here when we want things to get moving!
ReplyDeleteWe call the photo 'plumbers/carpenters crack'.
Never thought I'd be discussing this so early in the morning! lol
Jim:
DeleteWell, you discussed it late in the day here. Yep, plumber's crack in the USA, too.
I have refrained (so far) from taking any photos of butt crack... but I cracked up reading your blog... and... having met San Geraldo, I can just hear him saying that!
ReplyDeleteOdd Essay:
DeleteI've seen some really hilarious views, but it wasn't easy sneaking a picture. Unbelievable.
Hi Mitch:
ReplyDeleteAnd in Spanish when you see somebody working really hard you say: "Se está rompiendo el culo". just thought you should know that one.
saludos,
raulito
Raulito:
DeleteThanks. I'll practice this one!
"busting their asses"....working hard and making it worth it.
ReplyDeletePlumber's crack is so unattractive, though!!
Ron:
DeleteIt depends on the crack, I guess. But I've never seen one I didn't want to look away from.
You know Mitch, some postings should have a warning... and the bum is one that definitely needs a warning!
ReplyDeleteCraig:
DeleteMy-Mother-The-Dowager-Duchess asked if I really had to write about everything I see.
Yes, yes, "Busting their asses"... but, "breaking their butts"? I've never heard that one! :))
ReplyDeleteJudeet:
DeleteI've heard both. I also remember "Quit busting my ass" used in a different way.
I imagine the nuances of a foreign language cause many people to stumble. But I'm impressed by anyone who attempts a second language.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteSadly, however, this was all done in English — which is supposed to be San Geraldo's FIRST language.
I often combine two expressions into one sounding as absurd or as funny as this one.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteYou and San Geraldo would either get along famously or have absolutely no clue what the other was talking about.
people who have no clue what the other is talking about often make great chums, indeed.
DeleteI like that, "cracking their butts." Fortunately, my plumber does not do that...
ReplyDeleteKnatolee:
DeleteSadly, the only plumbers who have ever displayed their butt cracks for me have been those I wished hadn't.