Raindrops

Posted by R. Berg on February 04, 2002

In Reply to: He's so skinny... posted by ESC on February 04, 2002

: : : : : I recently overheard someone use the phrase "here was a guy who could walk between the raindrops" to describe someone. What exactly does it mean, and is it common in some region?

: : : : I don't know if it's regional. I think it means the guy is really, really skinny.

: : : Or it could mean he's very graceful.

: : I always thought it meant he had some sort of divine protection. Kind of like saying he could walk on water.

: There are several entries for "skinny" in This Dog'll Really Hunt: An Entertaining Texas Dictionary by Wallace O. Chariton (Wordware Publishing, Piano, Texas, 1989, 1990). One is: "He's so skinny he would have to run around in a shower to get wet." Kind of similar to the phrase in question. I guess reading the phrase in context would help determine whether the guy was skinny, divine or graceful.

My husband offers another opinion: he thinks it means the guy is always lucky.

• Reading between the raindrops Word Camel 02/04/02
  • Walking between the raindrops Barney 02/08/02