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Discussion Groups / English Usage / June 2010"clown suit"
Doesn't this phrase have some other meaning than the literal? I seem to recall it from some novel or movie, possibly sarcastic dialogue, possibly a gangster/30's setting. Perhaps it's just a way of showing contempt for the appearance of the one addressed - or does it mean something in particular? >Doesn't this phrase have some other meaning than the literal? I seem >to recall it from some novel or movie, possibly sarcastic dialogue, >possibly a gangster/30's setting. Perhaps it's just a way of showing >contempt for the appearance of the one addressed - or does it mean >something in particular? Without an actual context it's pretty hard to be sure what's going on here, but if someone accused someone else of wearing a clown suit it probabably means he dressed somewhat conspicuously.  Signature************* DAVE HATUNEN (hatunen@cox.net) ************* * Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * * My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps * >>Doesn't this phrase have some other meaning than the literal? I seem to >>recall it from some novel or movie, possibly sarcastic dialogue, [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > here, but if someone accused someone else of wearing a clown suit it > probabably means he dressed somewhat conspicuously. Also absent context, it may refer to formal business wear--suit and tie-- in a sarcastic manner. SignatureCordially, Eric Walker, Owlcroft House http://owlcroft.com/english/ >>>Doesn't this phrase have some other meaning than the literal? I seem to >>>recall it from some novel or movie, possibly sarcastic dialogue, [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >Also absent context, it may refer to formal business wear--suit and tie-- >in a sarcastic manner. Which would indeed be conspicuous among certain groups. Signature************* DAVE HATUNEN (hatunen@cox.net) ************* * Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * * My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps * > >>Doesn't this phrase have some other meaning than the literal? I seem to > >>recall it from some novel or movie, possibly sarcastic dialogue, [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Also absent context, it may refer to formal business wear--suit and tie-- > in a sarcastic manner. I can find "monkey suit" being used as slang for a tuxedo. But I can't find any example where "clown suit" meant something other than a clown costume. SignatureDonna Richoux >> > On Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:18:57 -0700 (PDT), Jared >> > <jared4326@gmail.com> [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > clown > costume. I have heard of the vestments of priests being referred to as "clown suits". One Google site had a photo of Cindy McCain in a red jump suit, which was compared to a clown suit. Others: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2010/03/03/clown-suit-fits-dismal-daly-to-tee/ This guy is being called a clown in a dozen different ways. The columnist refers to Daly as "Bozo", and talks about clown makeup. But, of course, the usage of "clown suit" is as a metaphor only. http://www.entertonement.com/clips/nkkygpmnrt--Clown-suitDenzel-Washington-Ameri can-Gangster-Frank-Lucas- ( http://tinyurl.com/27xsyu8 ) The clip might start playing as soon as you reach the page. A Pakistani in Denmark decides to wear his native dress to a function: http://somethingmanky.blogspot.com/2010/02/where-theres-clown-suit.html > >>Doesn't this phrase have some other meaning than the literal? I seem to > >>recall it from some novel or movie, possibly sarcastic dialogue, [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Also absent context, it may refer to formal business wear--suit and tie-- > in a sarcastic manner. I found this, attributed to American Gangster, which I have not seen: Frank Lucas: What is that you got on? Huey Lucas: What? This? Frank Lucas: Yeah, that. Huey Lucas: This is a very, very, very nice suit. Frank Lucas: That's a very, very, very nice suit, huh? Huey Lucas: Yeah. Frank Lucas: That's a clown suit. That's a costume, with a big sign on it that says "Arrest me". You understand? You're too loud, you're making too much noise. Listen to me, the loudest one in the room is the weakest one in the room. > Doesn't this phrase have some other meaning than the literal? I seem > to recall it from some novel or movie, possibly sarcastic dialogue, > possibly a gangster/30's setting. Perhaps it's just a way of showing > contempt for the appearance of the one addressed - or does it mean > something in particular? Yes it's sarcasm and it can refer to any suit of clothes/uniform the speaker is making fun of. It does not mean wearing oversized shoes and a big red nose. |
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