What is a 'dodo'?
Dear Dr English,
IÕm curious to know what a ÒdodoÓ is in the expression, Òas dead as a dodoÓ. I canÕt help thinking that the expression comes from a cartoon character. I hope you can help.
Thanabat Panichlumlert
No, it is not from any cartoon. A dodo (pronounced with the same ÒoÓ sound as the verb Òto goÓ) is an extinct large bird that could not fly. And due to its being extinct, when someone says that something is as dead as a dodo, they are emphasising that the thing mentioned no longer exists. In a different context, a dodo is a silly or foolish person.
Look at that dodo, hasnÕt anybody told him what a fool he is making of himself?
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From a song
Dear Dr English,
ÒAll riseÓ is one of my favourite songs; but there are two sentences in the song I
just donÕt understand.
1. ÒI just canÕt wait...Now the case is open wide...Ó What does Òthe case is open
wideÓ mean?
2. ÒI rest my case.Ó WhatÕs the meaning of this sentence? Thank you very much
in advance.
Siriporn Viriyangkura
The lyrics of the song compare the situation to a court hearing. The part that says, ÒNow the case is open wideÓ means that the court case has begun, and anything can happen.
The sentence, ÒI rest my caseÓ means that the speaker has finished what he/she has to say.
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Course or cause
Dear Dr English,
Recently, I saw a sign inviting people to join the Bangkok Marathon. Part of the invitation says, ÒLetÕs run for a good course. All proceeds go to...Ó. I believe that this should have been written as, ÒLetÕs run for a good causeÓ. Am I right? Please explain.
Jaruwan Tanrattanawong
Your comment is correct. The activity that is Òin a good causeÓ or Òfor a good causeÓ is the one that is worth doing or contributing to because it is done to help people, such as by raising funds for charity.
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