2006-11-22 22:19:29 · 4 answers · asked by Vicky 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
"Something to ponder; a provocative idea. It is a classic metaphor: food is crucial for the body, and the mind works best when given things to chew on.
Robert Southey wrote, in 'A Tale of Paraguay' (1825)
2006-11-23 00:22:07 · answer #1 · answered by $Sun King$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The phrase explained by related comparisons, would mean the same as:
Fuel for the fire.
Alms for the poor.
Gas for the car.
Final analysis, the word food is synonymous with the word something; ie something to think about.
The origin of the metaphor is unknown.
Good question, and Happy Thanksgiving,
Darryl S.
2006-11-22 23:11:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Food for thought" is an idiomatic expression. For example, "my friend´s advice gave me food for thought". Idiomatic expressions are expressions that have connotative meaning. In the sentence above, "food" must not be taken literally, that is, it is not something that we can eat. Also, in order to understand that expression (and all idiomatic expressions as well), we cannot break it (them) down to its (their) components. We have to consider the whole. Therefore, the example above means that "what my friend said triggered a lot of ideas/ made me think about [my problem, etc.]". Here´s another example: " to rain cats and dogs" (= to rain heavily).
2006-11-22 22:35:37 · answer #3 · answered by Nice 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/242000.html
this is a great website for finding the origins of phrases
2006-11-23 07:48:23 · answer #4 · answered by PinkPoss 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋