What does better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick mean?

phrase. (Australian be better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick) humorous. Be welcome or pleasing, even if other circumstances might be better.

What does a sharp stick in the eye mean?

Phrase. better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. (humorous) Better than nothing; not unsatisfactory but also not a reason for enthusiastic excitement.

What is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick?

phrase. Be welcome or pleasing, even if other circumstances might be better. ‘He’s better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick. ‘

Where did better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick come from?

poke in the eye . . .” as an Australian item in a group of similar phrases of which he says most seem to have originated late in the 19th century. This group includes “better than a kick in the a** with a frozen boot” (Canadian) and “better than a slap across the belly with a wet fish” (US).

Is it a poke in the eye with a sharp, or Blunt Stick?

A dictionary of slang and unconventional English: colloquialisms and catch phrases, fossilised jokes and puns, general nicknames, vulgarisms and such Americanisms as have been naturalised (E. Partridge and P. Beale, 2002) has both: The only way I’ve ever heard the expression is better than a sharp stick in the eye. Mileage will doubtless vary.

What should you do if you get a poke in your eye?

Sometimes, a poke in the eye can be self-inflicted, occurring while putting on makeup or washing the area around your eyes. These types of pokes to the eye are usually minor and can be treated at home. Treating a poked eye A minor poke in the eye can often be addressed at home.

What causes a person to get poked in the eye?

The confusion or movement of several people can result in getting poked in the eye with a finger or object. It can also occur while playing sports, such as soccer or basketball. Sometimes, a poke in the eye can be self-inflicted, occurring while putting on makeup or washing the area around your eyes.

When did Ulysses poke Polyphemus in the eye?

Note that the original poke in the eye with a burnt stick was given by Ulysses to the cyclops Polyphemus, blinding him, well before this expression arose in modern English. – Peter Shor Oct 20 ’14 at 18:35.