usage of colloquialism in lyrics hinders comprehension

[LisaLCFan]

Yes, FOXWOOD, I think you may be right! Geoffrey, are you listening?

[margaret]

Just think of all the concerts where after Leonard sings that phrase a woman will shout out "OH YES YOU ARE!". Of course we should feel free to reassure him.

I think Sheila commented that "there is something so sexy about a humble man"...

Oh yes...

I'm sure I heard a woman shout that at a concert I attended last year, I think it was at the Manchester Opera House (June 2008)

Margaret

[lizzytysh]

I agree with what you said, Marsha... and Diana. And all the other possibilities of interpretation. Leonard would be the last to want to deny any of us our own.

[hydriot]

In Britain, "coming on" means "starting to menstruate" ... but I think we can be fairly certain that was one interpretation Leonard did not intend.

It is interesting that, in this thread, while women have tended to interpret these words as something to do with flirting, men have seen some reference to impotence. Insecure lot, aren't we?

[ladydi]

Hydriot,

I had to laugh at your (excuse me, the British) interpretation! Would never have thought of that in a million years, and I am SO sure that neither did Leonard!

In the US/Canada, "coming on", well, means "coming on"....like...I WANT YOU...I REALLY WANT YOU ("see you naked in your body and your mind" and all that stuff). Obviously from Margaret's post, and what I've seen in other posts, women seem to have a universal understanding of this phrase.

Men may try to interpret it...but WE understand it on a very visceral level....

Hydriot (and other gentlemen present)...please do not read too much into this...we have no doubts as to your possible performance!

ah, Geoffrey...you may wish to shelter your eyes....you seem to be far above these base desires....

[E.A.Hill]

what does "i'm not coming on" mean? he sings "i'm crazy for love but i'm not coming on." is it street slang for something? i've never understood what it means. tell me, anybody, in proper plain english - so i too can know what it is he's not doing.

Geoffrey is obviously a man of intelligence and eloquence. I suspect that he is being slightly mischievious by pretending not to understand and then deriving some amusement from the responses that are posted here.

I am sure that he will protest that this is not the case and that he is really making an genuine enquiry.
If this is the case I am am ready to apologise unreservedly for my slur upon his good character.

I thought that at first too, but I decided to not be cynical and answer the question anyway.

[Cate]

Lady Di, you have me laughing.


Well I hope that Geoffrey is amused - this is a fun/funny thread.

I had no idea that there were so many interpretations of 'not coming on'.


Note to self - do not use the term 'not coming on...' if ever in the U.K, especially if attempting to flirt

[somewhat_nifty]

Oh dear, I'm obviously filthy-minded as I'd always thought that line was mainly referring to a man being unable to perform Though, as with many of Leonard's lines, it's one that open to various interpretations - interesting to hear the US/Canada sense of the phrase, I'm sure that's what's intended.

And this UK girl has never heard of 'coming on' being used in the menstrual sense - perhaps it's a regional thing? Though now I expect it will be all I think about now when I hear that song - thanks guys

[FOXWOOD]

come on (SEXUAL INTEREST) phrasal verb INFORMAL
to make your sexual interest known to someone:
Then his wife left the room and he started coming on to me.
She was coming on strong and I, naturally, responded.

[FOXWOOD]

I suspect Geoffreys next question could be something along the lines of...

"As someone who has always had a keen interest in Herpetology I am struck by how rarely cannibalism occurs in nature.I wonder why Leonard should make reference to such a rare event with the line...

" I had to draw aside to see the serpent eat its tail."

Can any one explain the meaning of this to me? "

Or maybe he wouldn't ask this sort of question - in which case I will have to apologise again for another unprovoked attack upon his good name!

[Cate]

Then his wife left the room and he started coming on to me.
She was coming on strong and I, naturally, responded.

So first the husband and then the wife.
I had no idea that Yorkshire was such an interesting place.

opps opps opps - Foxwood - I'm sorry I thought you were asking the tail question.

I'm going to edit below
Please excuse me from not commenting on the eating of the tail question - I have no clear idea what it means but fear that from your previous post that you are much more sophisticated in these things than I. I suspect Geoffrey will have a good answer to that one.

[FOXWOOD]

What sort of things?

[Cate]

Herpetology? I'm not really sure... it's best to be general when your not sure what you're speaking about.

I missed the part where you said G would ask that question - I thought you were asking.

To be honest I thought that you were being a bit naughty with the serpent thing - then I realized my mistake, tried to change my post but was too late, which made me even more flustered - oh well ...not the first time... please carry on.

[hydriot]

" I had to draw aside to see the serpent eat its tail."
Can any one explain the meaning of this to me? "

It is a reference to infinity. The symbol for infinity was originally a depiction of a serpent eating its tail.

[caz]

I suspect when Foxwood takes his tongue out of his cheek he'll explain all.