“One of the people he met was … a stunning redheaded schoolteacher named Barbara … Divorced and the mother of a young boy, she was a tall drink of water … “
Norman Mailer: A Double Life by J Michael Lennon
I’m reading a biography of Norman Mailer, one of the giants of American literature. I was a bit reluctant to start this book for a couple of reasons. First, it’s very thick so I knew it would take me many weeks to finish. Secondly, I wasn’t really in the mood of a biography, especially of someone I knew very little about. I hadn’t even read any of his work before. Now that I’m more than half-way through, I’m very pleased with the choice that I made. I’ve actually added a few of his books to my wish list.
When the author writes about how Norman Mailer met the last of his 6 wives (yeah, he was married 6 times), he describes the future Mrs Mailer as a tall drink of water. I confess that this was the first time I had come across this expression. It’s really another way of saying that she was a tall, attractive person. A tall drink of water can also be used for a man, with the same meaning.
Over to you …
Do you have a special expression used to describe someone who is both tall and beautiful? Or just tall? Or just beautiful?
I’m curious to know about your languages so do write in!
Pedazo de jamba!!
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Really? The same meaning? And for men and women?
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