What is the meaning of “You've never met a graph you didn't like?”
From an article that recommends things to read to help students too focused on exams and disconnected from the rest of the world.
idioms
asked Mar 19 at 10:47
AndresAndres
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From an article that recommends things to read to help students too focused on exams and disconnected from the rest of the world.
idioms
asked Mar 19 at 10:47
AndresAndres
11817
New contributor
Andres is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
From an article that recommends things to read to help students too focused on exams and disconnected from the rest of the world.
idioms
asked Mar 19 at 10:47
AndresAndres
11817
New contributor
Andres is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
From an article that recommends things to read to help students too focused on exams and disconnected from the rest of the world.
idioms
idioms
asked Mar 19 at 10:47
AndresAndres
11817
New contributor
Andres is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Mar 19 at 10:47
AndresAndres
11817
New contributor
Andres is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Mar 20 at 12:43
Andres
asked Mar 19 at 10:47
AndresAndres
11817
New contributor
Andres is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Mar 19 at 10:47
AndresAndres
11817
asked Mar 19 at 10:47
AndresAndres
11817
11817
New contributor
Andres is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Andres is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Andres is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
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oldest
votes
This phrase, He never met a ________ he didn't like, is a "quip" which is used to say that the person in question is indiscriminately or excessively fond of _________, whatever that happens to be.
He never met a beer he didn't like.
He will drink any beer, or he drinks rather a lot of beer. He will never refuse a beer offered to him.
He never met a graph he didn't like.
He is rather too fond of charts and graphs. He will take every opportunity to stick a chart in the body of the text, no matter how unnecessary it may be. Or he will peruse any chart you put in front of him no matter what it presents, he is such a "data-hound".
It could be said of a politico with a hawkish outlook or the CEO of a company that makes military weapons or of a corporation that supplies military logistical support:
He never met a war he didn't like.
It could be said of the stereotypical overweight cop on the small-town street:
He never met a donut he didn't like.
It could be said of a narcissist:
He never met a mirror he didn't like.
A politician who believes in minimalist government, say, or perhaps in "Social Darwinism", might say of an opponent who believes in spending on domestic social programs:
He never met a tax he didn't like.
User Hot Licks adds the following remark (though Rogers may have said something a little different from what has been attributed to him over the years):
It should be noted that this trope probably originated from the expression "I never met a man I didn't like", likely first uttered by American humorist and writer Will Rogers. In the case of Will Rogers it was likely reasonably true, but "never met a XXX I/he didn't like" quickly acquired a sarcastic sense.
answered Mar 19 at 11:23
TRomanoTRomano
17.8k22248
6
I like the answer except for the political commentary. Throwing barbs, no matter how slight, does not really aid in understanding this phrase and needlessly detracts from an otherwise good answer.
– Michael J.
Mar 19 at 18:58
9
@Michael J: I'm showing examples of how the phrase is actually used by politicians; it tends to get a lot of play in the political arena.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:43
3
@Mitch: I don't think that association deserves the prominent role you've suggested for it, since the question was about what the statement meant. And I would guess that the majority of speakers who use the pattern have no idea of its history.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:47
7
This use of a standard phrase or cliche and replacing part of it like this is called a snowclone after the myth that "Eskimos have 100 words for snow" which has led to journalistic cliches of the form "X have 100 words for Y".
– James Random
Mar 19 at 20:50
2
@Michael J: Express your views but do not edit posts that have my name on them.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 22:17
|
show 11 more comments
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
This phrase, He never met a ________ he didn't like, is a "quip" which is used to say that the person in question is indiscriminately or excessively fond of _________, whatever that happens to be.
He never met a beer he didn't like.
He will drink any beer, or he drinks rather a lot of beer. He will never refuse a beer offered to him.
He never met a graph he didn't like.
He is rather too fond of charts and graphs. He will take every opportunity to stick a chart in the body of the text, no matter how unnecessary it may be. Or he will peruse any chart you put in front of him no matter what it presents, he is such a "data-hound".
It could be said of a politico with a hawkish outlook or the CEO of a company that makes military weapons or of a corporation that supplies military logistical support:
He never met a war he didn't like.
It could be said of the stereotypical overweight cop on the small-town street:
He never met a donut he didn't like.
It could be said of a narcissist:
He never met a mirror he didn't like.
A politician who believes in minimalist government, say, or perhaps in "Social Darwinism", might say of an opponent who believes in spending on domestic social programs:
He never met a tax he didn't like.
User Hot Licks adds the following remark (though Rogers may have said something a little different from what has been attributed to him over the years):
It should be noted that this trope probably originated from the expression "I never met a man I didn't like", likely first uttered by American humorist and writer Will Rogers. In the case of Will Rogers it was likely reasonably true, but "never met a XXX I/he didn't like" quickly acquired a sarcastic sense.
answered Mar 19 at 11:23
TRomanoTRomano
17.8k22248
6
I like the answer except for the political commentary. Throwing barbs, no matter how slight, does not really aid in understanding this phrase and needlessly detracts from an otherwise good answer.
– Michael J.
Mar 19 at 18:58
9
@Michael J: I'm showing examples of how the phrase is actually used by politicians; it tends to get a lot of play in the political arena.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:43
3
@Mitch: I don't think that association deserves the prominent role you've suggested for it, since the question was about what the statement meant. And I would guess that the majority of speakers who use the pattern have no idea of its history.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:47
7
This use of a standard phrase or cliche and replacing part of it like this is called a snowclone after the myth that "Eskimos have 100 words for snow" which has led to journalistic cliches of the form "X have 100 words for Y".
– James Random
Mar 19 at 20:50
2
@Michael J: Express your views but do not edit posts that have my name on them.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 22:17
|
show 11 more comments
This phrase, He never met a ________ he didn't like, is a "quip" which is used to say that the person in question is indiscriminately or excessively fond of _________, whatever that happens to be.
He never met a beer he didn't like.
He will drink any beer, or he drinks rather a lot of beer. He will never refuse a beer offered to him.
He never met a graph he didn't like.
He is rather too fond of charts and graphs. He will take every opportunity to stick a chart in the body of the text, no matter how unnecessary it may be. Or he will peruse any chart you put in front of him no matter what it presents, he is such a "data-hound".
It could be said of a politico with a hawkish outlook or the CEO of a company that makes military weapons or of a corporation that supplies military logistical support:
He never met a war he didn't like.
It could be said of the stereotypical overweight cop on the small-town street:
He never met a donut he didn't like.
It could be said of a narcissist:
He never met a mirror he didn't like.
A politician who believes in minimalist government, say, or perhaps in "Social Darwinism", might say of an opponent who believes in spending on domestic social programs:
He never met a tax he didn't like.
User Hot Licks adds the following remark (though Rogers may have said something a little different from what has been attributed to him over the years):
It should be noted that this trope probably originated from the expression "I never met a man I didn't like", likely first uttered by American humorist and writer Will Rogers. In the case of Will Rogers it was likely reasonably true, but "never met a XXX I/he didn't like" quickly acquired a sarcastic sense.
answered Mar 19 at 11:23
TRomanoTRomano
17.8k22248
6
I like the answer except for the political commentary. Throwing barbs, no matter how slight, does not really aid in understanding this phrase and needlessly detracts from an otherwise good answer.
– Michael J.
Mar 19 at 18:58
9
@Michael J: I'm showing examples of how the phrase is actually used by politicians; it tends to get a lot of play in the political arena.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:43
3
@Mitch: I don't think that association deserves the prominent role you've suggested for it, since the question was about what the statement meant. And I would guess that the majority of speakers who use the pattern have no idea of its history.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:47
7
This use of a standard phrase or cliche and replacing part of it like this is called a snowclone after the myth that "Eskimos have 100 words for snow" which has led to journalistic cliches of the form "X have 100 words for Y".
– James Random
Mar 19 at 20:50
2
@Michael J: Express your views but do not edit posts that have my name on them.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 22:17
|
show 11 more comments
This phrase, He never met a ________ he didn't like, is a "quip" which is used to say that the person in question is indiscriminately or excessively fond of _________, whatever that happens to be.
He never met a beer he didn't like.
He will drink any beer, or he drinks rather a lot of beer. He will never refuse a beer offered to him.
He never met a graph he didn't like.
He is rather too fond of charts and graphs. He will take every opportunity to stick a chart in the body of the text, no matter how unnecessary it may be. Or he will peruse any chart you put in front of him no matter what it presents, he is such a "data-hound".
It could be said of a politico with a hawkish outlook or the CEO of a company that makes military weapons or of a corporation that supplies military logistical support:
He never met a war he didn't like.
It could be said of the stereotypical overweight cop on the small-town street:
He never met a donut he didn't like.
It could be said of a narcissist:
He never met a mirror he didn't like.
A politician who believes in minimalist government, say, or perhaps in "Social Darwinism", might say of an opponent who believes in spending on domestic social programs:
He never met a tax he didn't like.
User Hot Licks adds the following remark (though Rogers may have said something a little different from what has been attributed to him over the years):
It should be noted that this trope probably originated from the expression "I never met a man I didn't like", likely first uttered by American humorist and writer Will Rogers. In the case of Will Rogers it was likely reasonably true, but "never met a XXX I/he didn't like" quickly acquired a sarcastic sense.
answered Mar 19 at 11:23
TRomanoTRomano
17.8k22248
This phrase, He never met a ________ he didn't like, is a "quip" which is used to say that the person in question is indiscriminately or excessively fond of _________, whatever that happens to be.
He never met a beer he didn't like.
He will drink any beer, or he drinks rather a lot of beer. He will never refuse a beer offered to him.
He never met a graph he didn't like.
He is rather too fond of charts and graphs. He will take every opportunity to stick a chart in the body of the text, no matter how unnecessary it may be. Or he will peruse any chart you put in front of him no matter what it presents, he is such a "data-hound".
It could be said of a politico with a hawkish outlook or the CEO of a company that makes military weapons or of a corporation that supplies military logistical support:
He never met a war he didn't like.
It could be said of the stereotypical overweight cop on the small-town street:
He never met a donut he didn't like.
It could be said of a narcissist:
He never met a mirror he didn't like.
A politician who believes in minimalist government, say, or perhaps in "Social Darwinism", might say of an opponent who believes in spending on domestic social programs:
He never met a tax he didn't like.
User Hot Licks adds the following remark (though Rogers may have said something a little different from what has been attributed to him over the years):
It should be noted that this trope probably originated from the expression "I never met a man I didn't like", likely first uttered by American humorist and writer Will Rogers. In the case of Will Rogers it was likely reasonably true, but "never met a XXX I/he didn't like" quickly acquired a sarcastic sense.
answered Mar 19 at 11:23
TRomanoTRomano
17.8k22248
edited Mar 19 at 22:35
answered Mar 19 at 11:23
TRomanoTRomano
17.8k22248
answered Mar 19 at 11:23
TRomanoTRomano
17.8k22248
answered Mar 19 at 11:23
TRomanoTRomano
17.8k22248
17.8k22248
6
I like the answer except for the political commentary. Throwing barbs, no matter how slight, does not really aid in understanding this phrase and needlessly detracts from an otherwise good answer.
– Michael J.
Mar 19 at 18:58
9
@Michael J: I'm showing examples of how the phrase is actually used by politicians; it tends to get a lot of play in the political arena.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:43
3
@Mitch: I don't think that association deserves the prominent role you've suggested for it, since the question was about what the statement meant. And I would guess that the majority of speakers who use the pattern have no idea of its history.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:47
7
This use of a standard phrase or cliche and replacing part of it like this is called a snowclone after the myth that "Eskimos have 100 words for snow" which has led to journalistic cliches of the form "X have 100 words for Y".
– James Random
Mar 19 at 20:50
2
@Michael J: Express your views but do not edit posts that have my name on them.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 22:17
|
show 11 more comments
6
I like the answer except for the political commentary. Throwing barbs, no matter how slight, does not really aid in understanding this phrase and needlessly detracts from an otherwise good answer.
– Michael J.
Mar 19 at 18:58
9
@Michael J: I'm showing examples of how the phrase is actually used by politicians; it tends to get a lot of play in the political arena.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:43
3
@Mitch: I don't think that association deserves the prominent role you've suggested for it, since the question was about what the statement meant. And I would guess that the majority of speakers who use the pattern have no idea of its history.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:47
7
This use of a standard phrase or cliche and replacing part of it like this is called a snowclone after the myth that "Eskimos have 100 words for snow" which has led to journalistic cliches of the form "X have 100 words for Y".
– James Random
Mar 19 at 20:50
2
@Michael J: Express your views but do not edit posts that have my name on them.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 22:17
6
6
I like the answer except for the political commentary. Throwing barbs, no matter how slight, does not really aid in understanding this phrase and needlessly detracts from an otherwise good answer.
– Michael J.
Mar 19 at 18:58
I like the answer except for the political commentary. Throwing barbs, no matter how slight, does not really aid in understanding this phrase and needlessly detracts from an otherwise good answer.
– Michael J.
Mar 19 at 18:58
9
9
@Michael J: I'm showing examples of how the phrase is actually used by politicians; it tends to get a lot of play in the political arena.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:43
@Michael J: I'm showing examples of how the phrase is actually used by politicians; it tends to get a lot of play in the political arena.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:43
3
3
@Mitch: I don't think that association deserves the prominent role you've suggested for it, since the question was about what the statement meant. And I would guess that the majority of speakers who use the pattern have no idea of its history.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:47
@Mitch: I don't think that association deserves the prominent role you've suggested for it, since the question was about what the statement meant. And I would guess that the majority of speakers who use the pattern have no idea of its history.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 19:47
7
7
This use of a standard phrase or cliche and replacing part of it like this is called a snowclone after the myth that "Eskimos have 100 words for snow" which has led to journalistic cliches of the form "X have 100 words for Y".
– James Random
Mar 19 at 20:50
This use of a standard phrase or cliche and replacing part of it like this is called a snowclone after the myth that "Eskimos have 100 words for snow" which has led to journalistic cliches of the form "X have 100 words for Y".
– James Random
Mar 19 at 20:50
2
2
@Michael J: Express your views but do not edit posts that have my name on them.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 22:17
@Michael J: Express your views but do not edit posts that have my name on them.
– TRomano
Mar 19 at 22:17
|
show 11 more comments
Andres is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Andres is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Andres is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Andres is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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