Phrases & Sayings

'Legend' Urgh!!

Any one else, like me, fed up with the overuse of the term 'Legend'. It seems to be applied to anyone who has achieved any level of success, and has lost its original meaning. Robin Hood's a legend, as it's not certain he ever existed, and his name has been passed down through generations. Just this evening on 5 Live the death was reported of 'Jazz Legend' Humphrey Lyttleton. OK, he was noted, maybe even famous, but a legend? You can't be a legend if your contemporaries are still alive! 'Legend' must be the misnomer of our age. Petty, maybe, but it sticks in my craw.

Papaleekie Fri 25/04/08 23:42

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Panic Button
Fri 25/04/08
23:44

Can't say that bothers me, but I am sick and tired of people who should know better saying 'literally' when it is not literally.

eg it is literally raining cats and dogs.

Ice.Maiden
Fri 25/04/08
23:47

That's a good one Panic. I don't like it when people say - "and that's my final word on the subject...." and then continue!

Panic Button
Fri 25/04/08
23:48

We should request a thread for grumpy old men and women

Papaleekie
Fri 25/04/08
23:51

Question Author

It DOES literally rain cats and dogs! I nearly stepped in a poodle the other day.

THECORBYLOON
Fri 25/04/08
23:54

This is Chamber's online dictionary definition of legend:

legend noun 1 a traditional story which has popularly come to be regarded as true, but has not been confirmed as such. 2 such stories collectively. 3 someone famous about whom popularly-believed stories are told • a legend in her own lifetime. 4 words accompanying a map or picture, etc which explain the symbols used. 5 an inscription on a coin, medal or coat of arms. 6 originally the story of a saint's life.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: from Latin legenda things to be read.

Not sure why you think a person has to be dead to be a legend but now that Humph has passed away he satisfies yir definition.

Regarding "literally" I mind on watching a tennis match in which the commentator said one player was winning because his opponent was literally being torn apart. I mind on thinking it was no wonder he was losing if he had no arms or legs left...

Panic Button
Fri 25/04/08
23:58

Thicko2006
Sun 27/04/08
03:02

Michael Foot was a legend

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