Putting eyepatches on fire hydrant

Posted by Platypus on May 06, 2004

In Reply to: Putting eyepatches on fire hydrant posted by Maria on May 06, 2004

: Mr. Bernett refers to useless tricks in advertising and mentions putting eyepatches on fire hydrant as the example of the obvious trick. What does it really mean? Perhaps this speech figure has a certain background?

: Merci

I'm not sure of the etymology behind "eyepatches..."; however, I've heard the phrase as "putting sunglasses on fire hydrants". And, take it to mean selling something useless, or unnecessary: i.e., selling sand to an arab, or a refrigerator to an eskimo.

• Putting eyepatches on fire hydrant Smokey Stover 08/May/04