talk the hind legs off a donkey

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase talk the hind legs off a donkey, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression talk the hind legs off a donkey used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "talk the hind legs off a donkey"

Meaning

The phrase 'talk the hind legs off a donkey' is an idiom which is used to describe someone who talks an awful lot, regardless of the topic. This phrase speaks to the idea that when someone talks an excessive amount, they could be making an effort to actually talk the hind legs off a donkey. It implies that the person is talking for such an extended period of time that there is no end in sight to their verbosity.

Etymology

The phrase was first used in the 18th century, as a way to describe someone who talks too much. It is believed to have originated in the British Isles, and has been used in many parts of the English-speaking world. It is believed to have derived from the traditional practice of shepherds and farmers in the British Isles who needed their animals to be quiet and have developed various kinds of colloquialisms to keep them in line. This phrase was one of those colloquialisms.

Usage

The phrase is used to describe someone who talks too much, and often without providing any real substance. It is used in a lighthearted way, to express that the person is talking too much and that the conversation is taking too long. It is also used to mean that the person is talking so much, it's almost as though they are trying to talk the hind legs off a donkey.

Example Sentences

• He's been talking the hind legs off a donkey since he got to the party.
• You could talk the hind legs off a donkey if you wanted to.
• She talks the hind legs off a donkey every time you get her on the phone.

The Global Spread of English Idioms

As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.