Figures of speech should not be taken literally

SENATOR Mary O’Rourke’s unintentional gaffe about “working like blacks” might be attributed to a Yorkshire coalminer’s sweat by her apologists, but even if its roots are in slavery, I’m sure she wasn’t thinking of this.

In 2002, British Home Office Minister John Denham was berated for talking about getting down to the ‘nitty gritty’ - an old reference to the bottom of a slave ship’s hold - and similarly, British police were advised that the term ‘good egg’ - apparently derived from rhyming slang ‘egg & spoon’ - was also on the proscribed list.

Surely all this is ‘taking the mick’ and a sensible approach to the use and interpretation of figures of speech will prevail.

Rónán Collins

4 Oaktree Drive

Castleknock

Dublin 15