We were driving to town the other day, and the radio presenter said, in reference to some player of sports or other, "He did a hell of a job".
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but for those of us who believe in Heaven and Hell, is hell not the place one is hopeful of avoiding?
When one thinks of hell, does one not envision a lake of fire, or fire and brimstone? Demons and the Devil himself? Perhaps prodding with hot, sharp, pointy forked sticks? Pain, suffering, misery, despair?
A bad place, generally, no?
Which got me thinking about those "hell" phrases that people use so often, and without thought.
"Helluva job", or "helluva good time"- when it's supposed to imply a thing well done, or a time that was exceptionally better than average.
Now as hell, in my way of thinking, is not the good place- not the place you'd want to end up, it follows that a "hell of a day" is actually a terrible day- an uncomfortable, scorching, miserable day that one would never like to have repeated.The worst day in eternity.
A "Hell of a job"? Fireman.
You think you have a "hell of a job"? I suggest that unless you're a forest fire fighter, belong to the volunteer fire department or ride around at work on big trucks with hoses and axes wearing spaceman type uniforms that, in fact, you don't.
Ah, English.
It's a hell of a language.
Sometimes I think you have too much time on your hands, to think of things like that.
ReplyDeleteIf you're bored go clean the top of the fridge or the bottom of the freezer or something equally entertaining to watch.
Then get Micah to take a picture and send it to me. :-)