What are your thoughts on this phrase?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by Akuraizu, Jan 23, 2016.

  1. Akuraizu

    Akuraizu Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2015
    Messages:
    53
    Likes Received:
    21
    Reading List:
    Link
    "He didn't know whether to laugh or cry."

    Have been seeing this phrase a lot, recently. Especially in chinese novels (ATG, MGA, ISSTH, etc.)
    Also saw a similar phrase in Harry Potter; The Half-Blood Prince. I'm guessing J.K Rowling is a practitioner in disguise, but anyways, what do you guys think of the phrase?
     
    NeaxD and Nom de Plume like this.
  2. Simon

    Simon [The Pure One's Chief Steward][Demon Beast]

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2015
    Messages:
    2,365
    Likes Received:
    1,973
    Reading List:
    Link
    It mean to be caught in a situation and have mixed feels, like should i laugh or cry.

    When they announced that my flight was delayed for ten hours, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
     
  3. Little Dragon

    Little Dragon I does what I likes and I likes what I do

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2015
    Messages:
    1,803
    Likes Received:
    4,449
    Reading List:
    Link
    Think it is overused. But otherwise love it.
     
  4. TypeFantasyHeart

    TypeFantasyHeart Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2015
    Messages:
    1,606
    Likes Received:
    1,199
    Reading List:
    Link
    Its about mixed feelings... its like feeling so happy to laught and so sad to cry at the same time.... Its like um... oh right!... Its like when you got a cute cat to live at your home... you are very happy but the cat destroys your favorite plushy and looks at you cutely and wants to play.... you dont know if you want to cry because of the cat destroyed your favorite plushy or laught since the cats is so cute and wants you to play..
     
    Shance likes this.
  5. Parth37955

    Parth37955 NU #3, [Dead Inside], Mid-Boss, Dark Dealer Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2015
    Messages:
    12,220
    Likes Received:
    20,734
    Reading List:
    Link
    overused. If MC uses it, it means he's aspirated/frustrated. If a villain then he feeling like "oh shit, why did I piss off the MC."
     
  6. Odyssey

    Odyssey Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2015
    Messages:
    5,857
    Likes Received:
    2,099
    Reading List:
    Link
    it probably came about from the theater I mean u do have the twin masks, (one laughing and one crying)
     
  7. Rickymex

    Rickymex Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2015
    Messages:
    1,060
    Likes Received:
    1,071
    Reading List:
    Link
    I guess it's possible depending on the age of the idiom since the masks are Greek in nature and represent Comedy and Tragedy and the idiom is Chinese. Not extremely distant in this day and age but another back when the Greek play where being created.

    As for my opinion it's WAY overused.
     
  8. Odyssey

    Odyssey Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2015
    Messages:
    5,857
    Likes Received:
    2,099
    Reading List:
    Link
    that idioms has roots in more cultures than one
     
  9. ArgosYesu

    ArgosYesu Lord of Some Lands, Editor of Others

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2015
    Messages:
    1,946
    Likes Received:
    1,876
    Reading List:
    Link
    Situations that can generate a feeling of tears or laughter.

    For example, this prank on your foe is very laughable, but if the foe is a high rank person with lots of connections he can use against you, tears start to appear.
     
  10. Ai chan

    Ai chan Queen of Yuri, Devourer of Traps, Thrusted Witch

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2015
    Messages:
    11,278
    Likes Received:
    24,346
    Reading List:
    Link
    Dude, you should be feeling angry. Go demand your money back or discretely ask them to upgrade your flight priviledge. That was what I did. Got upgraded from economy to business lol
     
  11. Simon

    Simon [The Pure One's Chief Steward][Demon Beast]

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2015
    Messages:
    2,365
    Likes Received:
    1,973
    Reading List:
    Link
    I think anger comes after the initial shook of the situation, and those are reasonable responses to the situation.
     
  12. little king

    little king Ruler of Sloth [Neko-form]

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2015
    Messages:
    2,521
    Likes Received:
    2,423
    Reading List:
    Link
    A silly phrase~
     
  13. Nom de Plume

    Nom de Plume [Shio’s Disciple] [True Villain] [Equip: Gunblade] Novel Updates Staff

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2015
    Messages:
    2,688
    Likes Received:
    13,011
    Reading List:
    Link
    It's so cliche, but that's what makes it great.
     
  14. Arcturus

    Arcturus Cat, Hidden Sith Lord

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2016
    Messages:
    9,273
    Likes Received:
    17,814
    Reading List:
    Link
    The phrase is actually quite interesting because of how laughter and tears both how two completely different meanings depending upon the context. Consider: The general usage of tears denotes sadness and depression. Yet, the expression "tears of joy" is also a common English phrase and means the exact opposite. Similarly, while laughter most often connotes happiness, joy, and excitement, it also can be used to signify despair and grief. Thus I've always found it curious that laughing and crying are used with the duality of their meaning.
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2016
  15. NeaxD

    NeaxD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2015
    Messages:
    1,479
    Likes Received:
    1,883
    Reading List:
    Link
    That phrase perfectly describe a situation I run into often in life. Running out of Pizza and Bacon.
     
  16. Neiri

    Neiri Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2016
    Messages:
    3,173
    Likes Received:
    2,078
    Reading List:
    Link
    Watching our polticians debates at the senate(televised) . Self explanatory.
     
    NeaxD likes this.
  17. NeaxD

    NeaxD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2015
    Messages:
    1,479
    Likes Received:
    1,883
    Reading List:
    Link
    ugh polticians...