Feathers Posted 19 years ago
Vocabulary
When you've seen one Stradivarius
In Pink Panther, Peter Sellers (acting as Inspector Clouseau) murmurs, when he steps on his violin:
"When you've seen one Stradivarius, you've seen them all."
Does this phrase take its origin from somewhere? I'll appreciate any help.
"When you've seen one Stradivarius, you've seen them all."
Does this phrase take its origin from somewhere? I'll appreciate any help.
Top answer
Hi, It's certainly said very commonly. Clive
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
0
0
The joke here, though, is that Stradivarius violins are VERY rare and VERY valuable.
So although "Seen one, seen 'em all" is a very common thing to say, in this case, this expression doesn't apply at all - which is where the joke comes in.
So although "Seen one, seen 'em all" is a very common thing to say, in this case, this expression doesn't apply at all - which is where the joke comes in.
00
When you've seen one X, you've seen them all. = All X's are the same. There's nothing to be impressed by if you've seen one. This expression is similar to another saying: "They're a dime a dozen".
The joke is that Stradivarius violins are rare and expensive, certainly nothing any knowledgeable person would call unimpressive. It illustrates just how comically clueless Ins
The joke is that Stradivarius violins are rare and expensive, certainly nothing any knowledgeable person would call unimpressive. It illustrates just how comically clueless Ins
00
Oh I see. The way he said the phrase was so pretentious that I thought, "there must be some classic original phrase." Now I understand the joke, and I'm so grateful to you all. "They're a dime a dozen," huh...
0