The beauty of the English language is its versatility when creating resourceful while double meaning expressions.
One that I particularly like is, “get your finger out!”
The Oxford definition says that to get one’s finger out means to stop hesitating or wasting time and start to act. However, it implies that your finger is inserted somewhere in the human anatomy. Where exactly, is up to your imagination. This expression is used as informal British!
However, most English citizens have used the expression as part of their daily conversation. It might be misinterpreted, but as mentioned above means to act and not get your knickers in a twist.
Another well-known expression used in the United Kingdom is, “don't get your knickers in a twist.” This means to not become upset about something that is not very important. “Don't get your knickers in a twist: I'll be ready in a minute!” In this case it doesn’t mean untidy undergarments i.e., bloomers, pants, drawers, underpants.
A double entendre is a phrase or figure of speech that could have two meanings or that could be understood in two different ways. One of these meanings is often humorous, bawdy or even risqué. Keep reading a few double entendre examples from literature which could also be used in movies and everyday conversation.
A good example is, “He’s so hot!” meaning he is burning up i.e., sweating from the heat. If you were to fancy the man you can see, you could say to your friend, “Wow, he’s so hot!” only this time you mean handsome.
“No less! Nay, bigger; women grow by men.” In this case the nurse in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (meaning that women’s lives improve by men, and women also grow when they become pregnant by men.
“Lady, shall I lie in your lap?” Hamlet said this from Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet” (meaning shall I rest my head on your knee and shall we sleep together.
Take Care!
Prof. Carl Boniface
Vocabulary builder:
Bawdy (adj) = coarse, vulgar, rude, lewd, (ant) refined
Risqué (adj) = naughty, suggestive, racy, sexy, spicy, indecent
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