| 释义 |
Pygmalion|pɪgˈmeɪlɪən|
The name of a play by George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), used quasi-advb. in not Pygmalion likely, a joc. euphemism for the phrase ‘not bloody likely’ which occurs in Act III of the play (see bloody adv. 2, quot. 1914) and was the occasion of a public sensation at the time of the first London production in 1914. Also used attrib. of utterances regarded as mildly shocking.
1949Partridge Dict. Slang (ed. 3) Add. 1121/1 Not Pygmalion likely! Not at all likely; certainly not! 1960Guardian 8 Mar. 7/2 (heading) Not Pygmalion likely. 1960Times 28 Apr. 14/5 Mr. S. M. Nutley..said: ‘The trouble really began when Alderman Mrs. K. Sheridan was speaking about the council fleecing tenants and used a pygmalion word.’ 1964N. Squire Bidding at Bridge 185 So we pass? Not pygmalion likely! 1967G. Fallon Rendezvous in Rio xiii. 106 ‘Are you thinking of joining in?’ ‘Not Pygmalion likely,’ Bland returned brusquely. 1967A. Wilson No Laughing Matter ii. 96 You bloody bird! No, no, Mouse, Mr Polly and I were just talking Pygmalion talk! 1976Times 18 Mar. 11/5 My immediate reaction was to say, ‘Not Pygmalion likely’. |