Hot Potatoes, Hotshots and Hotheads
08/18/2013
Potatoes, not hot.
Now, the VOA Special English program Words and Their Stories.
“Hot” is a simple, easily understood word. So are most of the expressions made with the word hot -- but not always, as we shall see...
The words hot potato, for example, give you no idea at all to the meaning of the expression “hot potato.”
The potato is a popular vegetable in the United States. Many people like baked potatoes, cooked in an oven or fire. Imagine trying to carry a hot, baked potato in your hand. It would be difficult -- even painful -- to do so. Now we are getting close to the meaning of “hot potato.”
Some publicly-disputed issues are highly emotional. The issues must be treated carefully, or they will be difficult and painful if an elected official has to deal with them -- as difficult and painful as holding a hot potato.
One such hot potato is taxes...
Calling for higher taxes can mean defeat for a politician. And yet, if taxes are not raised, some very popular government programs could be cut. And that
also can make a politician very unpopular. So the questions must be dealt with carefully -- the same way you would handle any other hot potato.
Another expression is “not so hot.” If you ask someone how she feels, she may answer “not so hot.” What she means is she does not feel well.
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