A a voice on / in an eleven years old

Question

Hi teachers,"I've never heard a voice on/in an eleven years old."  I happened to have heard it said but I didn't know if I heard it correctly.  Is it "in" is called for?  Thanks.From the dictionary: "In him I see a great leader figure."   That's how I think "in" is correct in this sentence.Regards,TN

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

I've never heard such a voice in an eleven-year-old.

Your interpretation of the dictionary example is correct, and you applied it correctly to your example.

CJ

Avangi · Answer

tinanam0102 "I've never heard a voice on/in an eleven years old."

"On" is also commonly used as slang:
I've never heard a voice like that on an eleven-year-old before!

I've never heard such a voice on an eleven-year-old!

What a set o' pipes on that guy!

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi Avangi, Hi CalifJim,

Thank you for your help.

When you say "slang, do you mean, in a causal conversation, you'd say "I've never heard such a voice on an eleven-year-old before!"?

And in a written eassy, you'd choose "in" because it's more "formal"? Thanks.

Regards,

TN

Avangi · Answer

tinanam0102 When you say "slang, do you mean, in a causal conversation, you'd say "I've never heard such a voice on an eleven-year-old before!"?

And in a written essay, you'd choose "in" because it's more "formal"? Yes. I'd go one step further, and make a distinction between "slang" and "casual conversation." Clearly, not everyone would say "What a voice on that guy!" in casual conversation. It's somewhat stylized. Nearly everyone uses casual conversation, but not everyone uses slang. Slang is a bit lower register, and different groups have their own sets of favorite expressions.
But I don't think any US native speaker would be put off by hearing "What a voice on that guy!"

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi Avangi,

Thank you for your reply.

I have two questions left for you.

1. What does "Go ahead, I'm a sucker for you!"? I'm a lollipod for you? It's a slang right?

2. You wrote: "What a set of pipes on him!". What does that mean?

Regards,

TN

Avangi · Answer

tinanam0102 1. What does "Go ahead, I'm a sucker for you!"? I'm a lollipod for you? It's a slang right?

It's definitely slang, but I don't attribute its origin to the lollipop (note the spelling). I could be way off base.

When I refer to someone as "a sucker," I'm thinking in terms of the famous P. T. Barnum quote, "Never give a sucker an even break." (P. T. Barnum was co-founder of Barnum and Bailey's Circus.) I believe he also invented the expression, "There's a sucker born every minute."
The expression "A fool and his money are soon parted" also fits in here somewhere. "Suckers" are people who are easily fooled into spending their money on things which have no value.
If a girl makes a fool out of a guy by allowing him to do whatever she wants, and giving nothing in return; we would say, "He's a sucker for her."
I don't know if this fits the context of your excerpt.

Just as an aside, "slang" is an adjective and an uncountable noun.
So we can say "This is a slang expression." "This is slang." "This is an example of slang." We don't use it as a countable noun: ~~This is a slang.~~ ~~These are slangs.~~

2. You wrote: "What a set of pipes on him!". What does that mean?

With due respects to my friend Philip, this is an allusion to Bach's Royal Instrument, the pipe organ, or the church organ. If you've ever seen a big old church with a big old organ, you've probably seen a set of pipes - or as Philip would say, a rank of pipes - yea, several ranks of pipes.
So in good fun, we refer to the vocal chords of a well-endowed singer as "a set of pipes."
(No, not that well-endowed!) .

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi Avangi,

I'm sorry for keeping you.

1. "Go ahead. I'm a sucker for you" was said by my American customer. At that time we had differences on price range. Did he think I decieve him? Or like bad services our team provided and he wanted to complain a little?

2. (No, not that well-endowed!) -- Is it a sarcastic remark to a person whose singing is average but this person thinks she sings like "Sarah Brightman"?

Thank you.

TN

Avangi · Answer

tinanam0102 1. "Go ahead. I'm a sucker for you" was said by my American customer. At that time we had differences on price range. Did he think I decieve him? Or like bad services our team provided and he wanted to complain a little?
I'll have to guess. He thought you were giving him a line of bull - that you were trying to overcharge him by making the car seem more valuable than it really was. You were trying to play him for a sucker. "Go ahead, I'll play your silly game. (But I know it's a game, and I'm not really fooled by it. I'm wise to you.)"
That is, "Okay, I'll be your sucker - but not for long."

2. (No, not that well-endowed!) -- Is it a sarcastic remark to a person whose singing is average but this person thinks she sings like "Sarah Brightman"?
Your explanation is better than mine.
I meant, "No! Not that well-endowed, this well-endowed."

Opera singers have been known through the years for being buxom. (It ain't over until the fat lady sings, etc.) "Well-endowed" is sometimes used to describe one's physical attributes. I was referring more to the ***-given talent and voice-production equipment. Careless of me.

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi Avangi,

"What a set of pipes on him" means he have ***-talent and voice-production equipment in / on him. Positive, not sarcastic.

Slang expressions are difficult.

My teacher used to say that Opera singers tended to be buxom becasue they have more lung capacity to hold and repress the gas whey they sang. (Sorry. My native word)

Thank you again Avangi.

Regards,

TN

Avangi · Answer

tinanam0102 Positive, not sarcastic. Right.

to hold and repress the gas whey they sang. I love it!

A a voice on / in an eleven years old

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