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i dont understand the expression....

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mizzou

Diamond Member
I've just opened up a can of worm
Pandoras box makes much more sense.....maybe there was a lady named Pandora in rl who really had a box, and when people opened it out of curiosity they found worms, except it was in her pantry so it was more then just worms it was gross......cuz normally opening up worms would be great cuz u could go fishing if they are night crawlers
 
Metaphorically speaking, to open a can of worms means to inadvertently create numerous new problems while trying to solve one. Experts disagree on the origin of the phrase, but it is generally believed to be a Canadian or American metaphor coined sometime in the 1950s. Bait stores routinely sold cans of worms and other popular live baits to fishermen, who often discovered how easy it was to open a can of worms and how difficult it was to close one. Once the worms discovered an opportunity to escape, it became nearly impossible to keep them contained.

Some experts say the "open a can of worms" metaphor is a modern extension of Pandora's Box. In the original story, a mortal was warned not to open a box belonging to Pandora. When curiosity got the best of this mortal, he opened the box and inadvertently released numerous plagues on the world. According to legend, the only thing remaining in Pandora's box was a creature called Hope. In this same sense, to open a can of worms means to release a host of often irrevocable problems or complications. As long as the "can" remained sealed, there would be no harm or foul.
 
Pandora's box is only used when the final outcome results in chaos.

Opening a new can of worms means partaking in a certain action will lead to even more work put on yourself/associates.

The expressions, though similar, aren't really the same.
 
Key West said:
Metaphorically speaking, to open a can of worms means to inadvertently create numerous new problems while trying to solve one. Experts disagree on the origin of the phrase, but it is generally believed to be a Canadian or American metaphor coined sometime in the 1950s. Bait stores routinely sold cans of worms and other popular live baits to fishermen, who often discovered how easy it was to open a can of worms and how difficult it was to close one. Once the worms discovered an opportunity to escape, it became nearly impossible to keep them contained.

Some experts say the "open a can of worms" metaphor is a modern extension of Pandora's Box. In the original story, a mortal was warned not to open a box belonging to Pandora. When curiosity got the best of this mortal, he opened the box and inadvertently released numerous plagues on the world. According to legend, the only thing remaining in Pandora's box was a creature called Hope. In this same sense, to open a can of worms means to release a host of often irrevocable problems or complications. As long as the "can" remained sealed, there would be no harm or foul.
Click to expand...

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-it-mean-to-open-a-can-of-worms.htm
 
gimmewhitecastles said:
Pandora's box is only used when the final outcome results in chaos.

Opening a new can of worms means partaking in a certain action will lead to even more work put on yourself/associates.

The expressions, though similar, aren't really the same.
Click to expand...

One can say that both when opened are a huge pain in the add , but in reality worms are pretty easy to handle , would have rather said simethimglike a can of flies or cockroaches. That would make more sense. But Leone use the terms rather seamlessly
 
mizzou said:
One can say that both when opened are a huge pain in the add , but in reality worms are pretty easy to handle , would have rather said simethimglike a can of flies or cockroaches. That would make more sense. But Leone use the terms rather seamlessly
Click to expand...

Whoever made cans of flies or cockroaches? Cans of worms existed for the purpose of fishing.

And who is Leone?
 
Sorry trying to get used to smart phone typicalng with auto complete , it sucks. Anyway, my jostling is that I don't think worms are all yhat bad, it should be something that's a real pain like k itties or children.
gimmewhitecastles said:
Whoever made cans of flies or cockroaches? Cans of worms existed for the purpose of fishing.

And who is Leone?
Click to expand...
 
mizzou said:
Sorry trying to get used to smart phone typicalng with auto complete , it sucks. Anyway, my jostling is that I don't think worms are all yhat bad, it should be something that's a real pain like k itties or children.
Click to expand...

😵

You need a spell checker. 😛
 
mizzou said:
I've just opened up a can of worm
Pandoras box makes much more sense.....maybe there was a lady named Pandora in rl who really had a box, and when people opened it out of curiosity they found worms, except it was in her pantry so it was more then just worms it was gross......cuz normally opening up worms would be great cuz u could go fishing if they are night crawlers
Click to expand...

Ever heard of the Greek myth of Pandora's box?
 
"I could care less" is far worse because it makes no sense. The correct expression is "I couldn't care less"

Seems to be unique to the US.
 
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