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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

do not try this at home.

A woman is doing trick with an escalator and a reporter says "Do not try this at home".

Is his comment acceptable? I don't think any family has an escalator at home but I understand what he means.

My question is, is this what you would say? Or is there another expression?
Thanks
  

Top answer

This phrase presumably originated as a serious warning, and can still be used seriously, to mean exactly what it says. However, it is now often used jokingly or semi-jokingly -- still usually when something dangerous or difficult is being attempted, but in the knowledge that the expression has become a cliché, and with no real concern that anyone really would try it either at home or anywhere else. The serious meaning could be phrased in a number of ways, I guess, but there's no other expression that fits the joky meaning (not that I'm aware of, anyway).

— Mr Wordy

  • This phrase presumably originated as a serious warning, and can still be used seriously, to mean exactly what it says.
  • However, it is now often used jokingly or semi-jokingly -- still usually when something dangerous or difficult is being attempted, but in the knowledge that the expression has become a cliché, and with no real concern that anyone really would try it either at home or anywhere else.
  • The serious meaning could be phrased in a number of ways, I guess, but there's no other expression that fits the joky meaning (not that I'm aware of, anyway).
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2 Answers
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This phrase presumably originated as a serious warning, and can still be used seriously, to mean exactly what it says. However, it is now often used jokingly or semi-jokingly -- still usually when something dangerous or difficult is being attempted, but in the knowledge that the expression has become a cliché, and with no real concern that anyone really would try it either at home or anywhere else
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That's is an interesting fact. Thank you, Mr. Wordy.
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