Category Archives: folk simile

Time Flies Like An Arrow, Fruit Files Like A Banana

The phrase is structured as follows:

“Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.”

This phrase plays on linguistic ambiguity and misinterpretation:

  • “Time flies” can mean both that time moves quickly and, in a literal sense, refer to “flies” (insects) related to time.
  • “like an arrow” uses a simile to indicate the speed at which time passes.
  • “Fruit flies” can refer to both the insects (fruit flies) and a subject-verb structure where “fruit” is the noun and “flies” is the verb.
  • “Like a banana” is where the humor solidifies—it forces the listener to reprocess the second phrase, realizing that “flies” is now a noun rather than a verb.

I heard this joke from my classmate C. We were having a conversation about jokes that rely on linguistic tricks, particularly ones that make the listener momentarily confused before the humor clicks. C mentioned that this kind of joke, which plays on multiple meanings of words in a single sentence, is similar to classic wordplay found in old Vaudevillian comedy routines.

This phrase is a great example of a garden path sentence, which is a sentence that leads the listener to interpret it one way before forcing a re-interpretation. The humor arises from the way English grammar allows multiple meanings depending on syntax and context.

The first part sets up a familiar phrase, while the second part twists expectations, making the listener realize that “flies” has been reinterpreted in an unexpected way. This kind of humor requires cognitive flexibility as it forces the brain to reconsider its initial assumptions about meaning.

Beyond simple wordplay, this phrase reflects the fluidity of language and the human enjoyment of wit and mental puzzles. It also highlights the role of misinterpretation in humor, which is a common theme in folklore, riddles, and even literary traditions. Additionally, it shows how oral traditions evolve, as variations of the phrase have been passed around, modified, and adapted for different contexts.

The joke’s endurance across generations suggests that linguistic playfulness is a universal human trait and that humor based on language is not just entertainment but also a demonstration of how deeply people engage with words and meaning.

Date of performance: 2/11/25
Language: English
Nationality: American
Occupation: Student
Primary Language: English
Residence: Los Angeles

Ants in your pants!

AGE

17

Date_of_performance

2/23/25

Language

English

Nationality

American

Occupation

Student

Primary Language

Spanish

Residence

San Jose, CA

Folk Speech: minoi minoi minoi minoi pei o se loi a siva siva ua gaoioi 

Translation: move move move move like an ant, move like you got ants in your pants

Context + Text: The individual is my roommate’s sister. The informant has a large Samoan family, where this saying stems from. She recalls hearing this saying most frequently whenever she was feeling a little down, or just afraid of dancing with her family. “The time I vividly first remember hearing this was at my brother’s 15th birthday, when the whole family was out dancing on the dance floor, and I was hiding in the corner with my other cousins. We then heard our parents and relatives yelling this saying to us, while laughing, as they were egging us on to come dance with them”. It was a very endearing moment, she said, as her and her cousins felt inclined to join the dance floor. 

Analysis: The above saying is actually stemmed from a Samoan pop group called Five Stars, dedicated to making family music. The change to turn some of the lyrics into a saying was successful in creating a cultural connection between Samoan families. For the informant herself, her family has moved over into the US, so it has become a little hard to keep the Samoan culture with such a small community. This little saying to just cheer up children and encourage them to dance is effective in keeping the culture alive. She believes that it is fun to hear this saying, and this is important as she has started listening to more Samoan music, hoping to hear more fun little sayings she wants to carry on. 
We can find a similar and funny version of this in the children’s cartoon, Phineas and Ferb, with the song “Squirrels in my Pants”. This song is performed by one of the main characters as she dances in creative and entertaining ways. 

Finer than a frog hair split four ways

Age: 19

Text: Finer than a frog hair split four ways

Context: My informant said she heard this saying in rural Texas. She had asked a stranger how they were doing to which they responded “Honey, I’m finer than a frog hair split four ways.” She remembers the person being very upbeat and happy, and they seemed to be having a great day. My informant is from Austin, TX, and claims that she has never heard this saying other than this one time. 

Analysis: I am from Texas myself and have noticed that many Southerners, especially people from the rural south, use many sayings that add emphasis to their speech and attempt to capture the extent to which they mean what they are saying through exaggeration. Not only was this person fine, but they were finer than a frog hair split four ways. My initial reaction to hearing this saying was wondering “Do frogs even have hair?” A quick Google search has confirmed that frogs do not have hair. The comparison of how fine someone is to something so physically fine that it doesn’t even exist is a humorous, nonsensical way of suggesting that the person must be doing extremely fine. This saying exaggerates this even further by splitting the nonexistent thing into four different parts.

“Meet Me at the Airport, We’re Going to Tahiti”

Nationality: American
Age: 63
Occupation: Retired

Informant Information:

Age: 63

Date of Performance: 2/18/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“Meet me at the airport, we’re going to Tahiti.”

Context:

The informant, a native of Berkeley, California, has faced significant family hardships, including her mother’s sudden health crisis, her son’s chronic illness, and her brother’s child being diagnosed with autism. During particularly stressful moments, she and her siblings would jokingly text each other, saying, “Meet you at the airport, let’s go to Tahiti” or “I’m going to Tahiti right now, come join me.” This became their way of signaling that they had reached an emotional breaking point and needed a mental escape.

Analysis:

The metaphorical idea of escaping to Tahiti, an idyllic vacation destination, served as a form of humorous escapism for the informant and her family. By inviting each other to “meet at the airport” and “go to Tahiti,” they created a shared symbolic refuge—a way to momentarily detach from their struggles without actually leaving.

Tahiti, often associated with paradise and relaxation, represented the fantasy of escaping life’s burdens and finding peace. By extending this imaginary invitation, the informant and her siblings not only acknowledged their shared hardships but also reinforced their emotional support for one another. This expression worked simultaneously as a joke and coping mechanism that allowed them to communicate distress, offer solidarity, and maintain their bond through humor, despite adversity.

“If the Good Lord’s Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise”

Age: 73
Occupation: Retired
Language: English

Informant Information:

Age: 73

Date of Performance: 2/26/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“If the good Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise.”

Context:

The informant’s parents, who grew up in Tennessee, often used this Southern phrase when making a promise or commitment. It served as a way to qualify their pledge, acknowledging that unforeseen circumstances could prevent them from following through.

The informant’s background adds depth to this expression. Their mother lived in the Appalachian hills of East Tennessee, near the Hiwassee River. Before dams were built, the river frequently flooded, posing a real danger. The informant’s late uncle tragically drowned in the Hiwassee River, making the phrase “if the creek don’t rise” more than just a figure of speech—it was a genuine concern tied to the unpredictable forces of nature that could disrupt daily life.

Analysis:

This Southern saying blends faith and realism, reflecting the values of the region. “The good Lord’s willing” conveys deep religious faith and trust in divine providence, while “if the creek don’t rise” acknowledges the potential for unexpected natural disruptions. Together, the phrase expresses both humility and an awareness of life’s uncertainties—recognizing that even with the best intentions to uphold a promise, external forces may intervene. By using this expression, the informant’s parents could make a commitment while also leaving room for circumstances beyond their control.