“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!