Please help: meaning of some English expressions

Question

Hello,Over the year I have come across the followingEnglish expressions but was not able to findany of them in the Merriam Webster orCollins dictionaries so I was wonderingwhether anyone could help me withtheir precise meanings.Thank you very much for your help,The expressions follow:In Finance what is the meaning of: "to have some new wallpaper"?What does "rocket scientist" exactly mean?What does "chinched-in" mean?What is a "curry club"?What does "to put one's back up" mean?What does the following expression mean: "His comments really stuck home."In the world of business, what does "back-of-the-envelope projections" mean?What is the best way to interpret the expression "Cash is King"? (well, could google for this)In the context of unfair competition law, what does "planning off mean"?When describing a procedure, what does "It may seem like duck soup ..." mean?What is the connotation associated with the expression "cheese and wine"?I have never seen anyone eat the two together, but I think this expressionmeans something more specific.What does "frammis value" mean?What does the expression "long in the tooth" mean?What does "to come of age" mean?What does it mean for a trend to have a "political backdrop"?What does the the expression "Dr. Feelgood" mean as attributed to an individual?

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1] What does "rocket scientist" exactly mean?[/nq]
It means a scientist who works on rocket propulsion. However, you're probably thinking of the saying "it's not rocket science", which means "it's not particularly difficult", derived from the idea that rocket science is especially difficult.
[nq:1] What does "to put one's back up" mean?[/nq]
It means "become angry". I would guess that it comes from the way cats arch their backs when angry.
[nq:1]What does the following expression mean: "His comments really stuck home."[/nq]
You mean "struck home", and it means "I recognized the appropriateness of his comments"
[nq:1]In the world of business, what does "back-of-the-envelope projections" mean?[/nq]
It's not especially confined to business. It means the sort of rough idea of the solution to a problem that one can get by doing a few calculations by hand.
[nq:1] What is the connotation associated with the expression "cheese and wine"? I have never seen anyone eat the two together,[/nq]
It's quite common (or it used to be) to have a cheese and wine party, at which cheese and wine are the main components.
[nq:1]but I think this expression means something more specific.[/nq]
Maybe, but I don't know of anything more specific.
[nq:1] What does the expression "long in the tooth" mean?[/nq]
Old
[nq:1]What does "to come of age" mean?[/nq]
Become an adult typically defined by arriving at a legally specified age traditionally 21 but nowadays often 18. (The exact age depends on the country.)

athel

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]What does the the expression "Dr. Feelgood" mean as attributed to an individual?[/nq]
It usually refers to a doctor who will over-prescribe drugs to make patients feel good. These are often celebrity patients who can afford to pay for large quantities of drugs.
http://www.slate.com/id/22395/

Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.english.usage)

Usenet · Answer

(snip)
[nq:2]What does the expression "long in the tooth" mean?[/nq]
[nq:1]Old[/nq]
Because one of the things that happens with ageing is that the gums recede, leaving more tooth visible.
With best wishes,
Peter.

Peter Young, (BrE), Consultant Anaesthetist, 1975-2004. (US equivalent: Attending Anesthesiologist)
Cheltenham and Gloucester, UK. Now happily retired. http://pnyoung.orpheusweb.co.uk

Usenet · Answer

As a fellow non-natice user, I'll try to explain the terms I'm familiar with and leave it to the native speakers to take care of the rest, and correct any mistake I make.
[nq:1]What does "rocket scientist" exactly mean?[/nq]
Literally, a scientist involved in designing and building rockets. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out" means that one does not have to be particularly clever or knowledgeable to reach a conclusion.
[nq:1]What does the following expression mean: "His comments really stuck home."[/nq]
"His comments had the desired effect"
[nq:1]In the world of business, what does "back-of-the-envelope projections" mean?[/nq]
A quick estimate without detailed analysis.
[nq:1]When describing a procedure, what does "It may seem like duck soup ..." mean?[/nq]
Like duck soup = easy, not challenging.
[nq:1]What does "frammis value" mean?[/nq]
I think frammis is humorous slang for a technical product that the speaker is not familiar with.
[nq:1]What does the expression "long in the tooth" mean?[/nq]
Old, worn.
[nq:1]What does "to come of age" mean?[/nq]
To reach an age of maturity; to attain a status that deserves recognition.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Hello, Over the year I have come across the following English expressions but was not able to find any of ... help me with their precise meanings. Thank you very much for your help, The expressions follow: What does "chinched-in" mean?[/nq]
Sure you've spelled this correctly? It could be "cinched in". A cinch strap tightens things. Example: the cinch strap that holds the saddle on the horse.
You cinch things down when you tighten the financial regulations.
[nq:1]What is a "curry club"?[/nq]
You need to provide context.

Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]In Finance what is the meaning of: "to have some new wallpaper"?[/nq]
Worthless stock like Government Motors.
[nq:1]What does "chinched-in" mean?[/nq]
It refers to the cinch (spelling counts) attached to a saddle. It means firmly secured.
[nq:1]What does "to put one's back up" mean?[/nq]
I have a cat who will be happy to show you. .
[nq:1]In the world of business, what does "back-of-the-envelope projections" mean?[/nq]
Quick thoughts, without backup research. (Mine are always proven to be correct.)
[nq:1]What is the best way to interpret the expression "Cash is King"?[/nq]
Show me the money. Any hooker knows this expression.
[nq:1]In the context of unfair competition ...[/nq]
No such thing.
[nq:1]When describing a procedure, what does "It may seem like duck soup ..." mean?[/nq]
Easy to do.
[nq:1]What does the expression "long in the tooth" mean?[/nq]
Old. Horses are the reference.
[nq:1]What does "to come of age" mean?[/nq]
A lot of things. She is old enough to have *** without getting me in trouble with the law. Old enough to inherit money. Etc.

GFH

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Hello, Over the year I have come across the following English expressions but was not able to find any of ... very much for your help, The expressions follow: In Finance what is the meaning of: "to have some new wallpaper"?[/nq]
I'd have to see it in context to be sure, but I guess it means having made a superficial change for the sake of appearances, without addressing fundamental or structural problems. Expressions of this kind aren't necessarily specific to finance.
[nq:1]What does "rocket scientist" exactly mean?[/nq]
Literally, someone who works on the theory of rocket propulsion or designs rockets. Beginning sometime in the Cold War or space-race period, "rocket science" became the epitome of a difficult discipline requiring high intelligence and extensive training to master. It's most often heard in negative constructions involving litotes: "X is no rocket scientist" disparages X's competence, and "Y isn't rocket science" says that Y is a simple task that nobody should have difficulty performing.
[nq:1]What does "chinched-in" mean?[/nq]
Probably a typo for "cinched-in": squeezed or pulled tight by an encircling belt or cord, suggesting that mechanical advantage from a buckle or noose has been used to make it tighter than simple pulling.
[nq:1]What is a "curry club"?[/nq]
I haven't heard this one. Context?
[nq:1]What does "to put one's back up" mean?[/nq]
To provoke someone to annoyance, anger or intransigence, usually more by manner or tone than in a direct confrontation.
[nq:1]What does the following expression mean: "His comments really stuck home."[/nq]
Probably a typo for "struck home": made a strong impression or were very convincing, often with the suggestion that they "pushed the hearer's buttons", making an abstract or general issue concrete or personal. The metaphor is of an arrow striking and penetrating its target.
[nq:1]In the world of business, what does "back-of-the-envelope projections" mean?[/nq]
The back of an envelope is the figurative medium for doing quick, informal, or approximate calculations; the result being the sort of thing that's sometimes called a "ballpark estimate". Also used in science and engineering.
[nq:1]What is the best way to interpret the expression "Cash is King"? (well, could google for this)[/nq]
Saying something is "king" means it's supreme, that it trumps other considerations (or that it's the best of its kind).
[nq:1]In the context of unfair competition law, what does "planning off mean"?[/nq]
No idea. More detailed context?
[nq:1]When describing a procedure, what does "It may seem like duck soup ..." mean?[/nq]
"It may seem easy (as pie) ...".
[nq:1]What is the connotation associated with the expression "cheese and wine"? I have never seen anyone eat the two together, but I think this expression means something more specific.[/nq]
The order is usually the opposite: a "wine & cheese party" is a formal reception or similar event, perhaps for a book-launch or exhibit opening, often professing more refinement or a higher cultural tone than a "cocktail party". People do indeed consume the two together: they make a traditional dessert course.
[nq:1]What does "frammis value" mean?[/nq]
No idea: I've never seen "frammis", nor can I think of a typo or mishearing that would likely produce it. Context?
[nq:1]What does the expression "long in the tooth" mean?[/nq]
Aged or experienced often with a negative implication, of senescence or obsolescence.
[nq:1]What does "to come of age" mean?[/nq]
To become mature. Literally, for a person to reach a the age of adulthood in his or her society, sometimes accompanied by a ritual of admission or public recognition, but figuratively applied to ideas, practices, &c.
[nq:1]What does it mean for a trend to have a "political backdrop"?[/nq]
I suppose, that it arises from political trends or circumstances. A "backdrop" is a painted scene hung at the back of a theatrical stage, or a curtain or screen used as a background for portaits in an artist's or photographer's studio, but figuratively represents the environment or context in which an event occurs.
[nq:1]What does the the expression "Dr. Feelgood" mean as attributed to an individual?[/nq]
It's not very common, but I've seen it used of someone who makes people feel better about a problem without actually ameliorating it, like a physician who prescribes only analgesics & euphoriants without curative properties.

Odysseus

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]What is the connotation associated with the expression "cheese and wine"? I have never seen anyone eat the two together, but I think this expression means something more specific.[/nq]
Perhaps you have seen people eat wine and cheese together?

I've seen a lot of wine and cheese parties advertised, though mostly when I was in college or read certain newsletters.

There are three kinds of men.
Beer and pretzels
Wine and cheese
Steak and potatoes
And oh yeah, there's me:
Milk and cookies.

Posters should say where they live, and for which
area they are asking questions. I have lived in
Western Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis 10 years
Chicago 6 years
Brooklyn, NY 12 years
Baltimore 26 years

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]When describing a procedure, what does "It may seem like duck soup ..." mean?[/nq]
[nq:1]Like duck soup = easy, not challenging.[/nq]
Absolutely. But why is duck soup easy?
Is it easier than chicken soup?

Posters should say where they live, and for which
area they are asking questions. I have lived in
Western Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis 10 years
Chicago 6 years
Brooklyn, NY 12 years
Baltimore 26 years

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]In the world of business, what does "back-of-the-envelope projections" mean?[/nq]
[nq:1]The back of an envelope is the figurative medium for doing quick, informal, or approximate calculations; the result being the sort of thing that's sometimes called a "ballpark estimate". Also used in science and engineering.[/nq]
Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address while riding to Gettysburg on the back of an envelope.

Posters should say where they live, and for which
area they are asking questions. I have lived in
Western Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis 10 years
Chicago 6 years
Brooklyn, NY 12 years
Baltimore 26 years

Please help: meaning of some English expressions

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