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Pennywise, Pound Foolish

Do you teach your kids idioms? Do you use them at home?

I am continually surprised at how confused my students become at what seems to me to be common phrasing in America. Once, I had to explain the meaning of “it’s raining cats and dogs” and I live in an rainforest favored by vampires for it’s lack of sunny days. Piece of cake to explain? Not so much.

The other day, while explaining yet another reason why English class is important, I said that those who couldn’t be bother to learn spelling, grammar, or reading critically were “pennywise, but pound foolish.” Granted, they didn’t know what a pound note was – is the UK still using them or did they decide to jump on the Euro bandwagon finally? – but no one had ever heard of the idiom either.

Given the number of “pennywise, pound foolish” decisions being made these days by everyone, including students, it seems wise to bring back these old bromides. If no other reason than injecting some common sense into our society.

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