Discussion:
"thick in the clear"
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Miss Grunge
2005-03-08 02:22:51 UTC
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This is a dialect phrase that my English mother (Staffs/Warks) uses. It is
in the context: "You sound a bit thick in the clear", when she is listening
to someone who is coming down with a cold and has developed that clogged up
sound in the throat.

Does anyone know the origin of this phrase? I've googled unsuccessfully.

Thanks,
Miss G.
Molly Mockford
2005-03-08 07:47:16 UTC
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At 10:22:51 on Tue, 8 Mar 2005, Miss Grunge
Post by Miss Grunge
This is a dialect phrase that my English mother (Staffs/Warks) uses. It is
in the context: "You sound a bit thick in the clear", when she is listening
to someone who is coming down with a cold and has developed that clogged up
sound in the throat.
Does anyone know the origin of this phrase? I've googled unsuccessfully.
My late mother-in-law (origins working-class London, adult life in
Sussex) used it regularly, but I never knew where it came from. So
that's not much help, I'm afraid.
--
Molly Mockford
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety - Benjamin Franklin
(My Reply-To address *is* valid, though may not remain so for ever.)
Phil C.
2005-03-08 11:44:11 UTC
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On Tue, 8 Mar 2005 10:22:51 +0800, "Miss Grunge"
Post by Miss Grunge
This is a dialect phrase that my English mother (Staffs/Warks) uses. It is
in the context: "You sound a bit thick in the clear", when she is listening
to someone who is coming down with a cold and has developed that clogged up
sound in the throat.
Does anyone know the origin of this phrase? I've googled unsuccessfully.
I don't remember having heard it. But I used to be threatened with a
"thick ear" when I misbehaved.
--
Phil C.
Paul Burke
2005-03-08 17:16:12 UTC
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Post by Miss Grunge
"You sound a bit thick in the clear",
Does anyone know the origin of this phrase?
A public inquiry has exonerated yet another politician?

Paul Burke
Matti Lamprhey
2005-03-08 18:57:06 UTC
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Post by Miss Grunge
This is a dialect phrase that my English mother (Staffs/Warks) uses.
It is in the context: "You sound a bit thick in the clear", when she
is listening to someone who is coming down with a cold and has
developed that clogged up sound in the throat.
Does anyone know the origin of this phrase? I've googled
unsuccessfully.
Hmm ... thick and clear -- could it be an obscure soup reference?

Matti

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