I can't get worked up over "free reign" either - how does it change the idiomatic meaning of the phrase? Unrestrained monarch vs unrestrained horse.
Does anybody mind if I pass out?
Willow ,'Beneath You'
Natter 66: Get Your Kicks.
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, pandas, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Jessica - Oct 06, 2010 3:44:16 pm PDT #28037 of 30001
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
§ ita § - Oct 06, 2010 3:45:11 pm PDT #28038 of 30001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
What the hell does "free reign" even mean?
I assume people think of it as reigning freely, which I can't hate them for. Except, they're wrong.
Zenkitty - Oct 06, 2010 3:45:59 pm PDT #28039 of 30001
Every now and then, I think I might actually be a little odd.
Unrestrained monarch is more dangerous.
Vortex - Oct 06, 2010 3:46:04 pm PDT #28040 of 30001
"Cry havoc and let slip the boobs of war!" -- Miracleman
Hey Zen, you have email if you're online.
Typo Boy - Oct 06, 2010 3:46:44 pm PDT #28041 of 30001
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.
Cass
I assume it's like when I was young and would clip a lead rope to my horse's halter and drape it over his neck, lie back and let him wander around the desert while I watched the clouds.
Was this horse, by any chance, unnamed?
Steph L. - Oct 06, 2010 3:47:53 pm PDT #28042 of 30001
I look more rad than Lutheranism
Well, a horse with a rider is generally under the rider's control at all times, unless and until the rider gives the horse free rein (or the horse bucks the rider off or the rapture occurs, or whatever). But for the most part, the vast majority of the time, the horse is not the one in charge.
A monarch tends to be the one in charge fairly well all of the time. I know, I know, it's more complicated than that, but I think the cliche isn't really derived from the fiddly bits of politics involving monarchies and the issue of Parliament vs. the Windsors.
"Free reign" is a given. (At least, when it comes to cliches.) "Free rein" is not. (Ditto.)
Typo Boy - Oct 06, 2010 3:50:29 pm PDT #28043 of 30001
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.
Plei, I hope your father heals and is well.
Also better-than-it-sounds ma for Meara's nurse's nephew, and cope-ma for Meara's nurse.
Also wish the best to Max.
Beverly - Oct 06, 2010 3:54:35 pm PDT #28044 of 30001
Days shrink and grow cold, sunlight through leaves is my song. Winter is long.
"Reign" is sufficient, few monarchs, if any, have partial or restricted reign. Reign is a right of the crown. Free rein is bestowed by a superior, theoretically.
meara, that's appalling. So many good thoughts for that child and his family.
More good thoughts for your dad and family, Plei.
Fred, I'm sorry to hear about the diagnosis. If there's nothing else to be done, may things at least go easy and gentle.
sarameg - Oct 06, 2010 4:03:54 pm PDT #28045 of 30001
Such horrible news in Beep me. Good thoughts to those that need'em.
Only good news I have is that the paint matches pretty well?
Holli - Oct 06, 2010 4:15:15 pm PDT #28046 of 30001
an overblown libretto and a sumptuous score/ could never contain the contradictions I adore
Oh, man. Good wishes to those that need them.
I was going to come in here and complain, but now I feel sort of petty.