Encounters with language

Have you ever said: ‘He’s a rotten apple!’ or ‘Let’s get to the core of the problem.’ ?

Our language is rich in references to apples because they have been such an important part of our culture. We also use apple phrases as metaphors of life. In one Leominster Meeting Centre (LMC) session participants picked an apple phrase and read it out to the group. The meaning was talked about and surprisingly interesting discussions followed.

‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’  The women in the group, including volunteers and staff,  particularly enjoyed discussing sayings about children and fathers. ‘When an apple is ripe it will fall.’  Phrases about child-birth also provoked many interesting conversations.

Many of the discussions became very serious, probably because many apple sayings deal with difficult aspects of life. The more serious the discussion became, the more animated the men in the group were. 

Terry, a carer, joined in sensitively throughout. His interesting comments and questions helped to maintain a high level of discussion. The group started to compare sayings in different parts of the country and this led to a discussion about geography. How did soil effect orchards? How did a colder climate change the taste? The discussions continued throughout the lunch that followed the session.