"candle-and-sandle"?

Question

Does anybody know what this mean? It's something that I heard from an American TV show. The original context is just helpless.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
Does anybody know what this mean?
It's something that I heard from an American TV show.

The original context is just helpless.

I've never heard that expression. I wonder if it refers to a historical period or drama.

The phrase 'sword and sandal' is sometimes used to describe movie dramas of ancient Rome.

Clive

Chivalry · Answer

TY, Clive.

I swear that I've never heard such an expression before either, yet I figured that it might possibly mean something like "sloppy" or "down-to-earth" according to the given circumstances in the show, whereas I still can't be totally sure.

Another thing is , surprisingly there are indeed some odd expressions and words that I've found on American TV series/shows that kind of shock me, such as "Slipups are always happenable," "I (a female person, not homosexual) made out with her and then we became pals"...etc.

Anbody find any of these sensible?

Anonymous · Answer

Hi there,

It's just a mere guess on my part but in the few hits Google has given, there is one that might serve as a starting point:

''Hey, I'm a liberal, and I'm hardly a living icon of candle-and-sandle "flowers for everyone" philosophy!''

(http://fortunaty.net/text/textfiles/messages/ALTERREALITY/ar35.txt , 8th entry, by ''Turtle".)

From this, I'd think the expression might have something to do with the hippie movement originally; candles and sandles, that is, comfortable clothing made of natural materials, in which you feel good, and which type of clothing sandles might be a symbol of, while the word candle might refer to the notion of togetherness, equality and brotherhood of every human creature, a stress on spirituality and altered states of consciousness, which, as far I as know, were all an integral part of this movement.

Also, liberalism is left-wing, so it's for supporting each and every layer of society, hence the ''flowers for everyone" probably, and in this particular sense, together with the notion of freedom, liberalism has a kind of kinship with the hippies' way of thinking.

From another 2 contexts I've found it seems candle and sandle can be an adjective referring to someone who is of a hippie-like behaviour or attitude in that they are or sound to be all-accepting and tolerant to the extremes, with an attitude of loving everybody. (Both places it was used in reference to some kind of religious preachers or personalities, but I don't cite them because I'm not sure it'd be a great idea to post those links here).

Also, at both places it seemed to be used as a pejorative adjective, implying that the people the posters use the expression to describe are too naive, impractical and/or not entirely sane.

Chivalry · Answer

THANK YOU A LOT, Mr./Ms. Anonymous.

That's really helpful, and educational!

Clive · Answer

Hi guys,
A few miscellaneous comments.

The word is spelled 'sandal', not 'sandle'.

I agree that the 'hippie' suggestion is a good one.

I haven't heard 'happenable', but it doesn't surprise me.

'Make out' is very common as a sexual expresssion.

As regards 'liberalism is left-wing', I don't mean to be contentious, but this sounds to me like a very American suggestion.

Smile

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

It’s often used in police/detective parlance in reference to family support or liaison officers who are tasked with compassionately listening to and gently caring for the needs of the grieving family.

It’s sometimes considered a pejorative admonition or warning to liaison staff not to interfere directly or propose theories regarding the actual case …i.e. ‘stick to your job. Candles and sandals’. In other words, step aside from technical details and focus on the spiritual, compassionate, supportive role you’ve been given.

Anonymous · Answer

It’s a British movie written by JK Rowles

"candle-and-sandle"?

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