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A Word in Your Shell-Like Ear

Meanings of “A Word in Your Shell-Like Ear”

The phrase means let me tell you something privately or secretly. In the phrase, ‘Shell-Like’ is used as an adjective for ears. A person using this phrase usually wants to share information that he does not want to share with anyone. It is also used when the speaker wants to save the listener from an embarrassing situation. It could be used in the sense of a whisper.

In London, the phrase used as a slang ‘A word in your shell-like’ without add the word ‘ear’ which also means the same. There are additional two short forms of the phrase – A word in your ear and A word in your shell-like. All the variations of phrases can be interpreted as ‘I’d like to talk to you (privately).

Origin of “A Word in Your Shell-Like Ear”

Its earliest use has been traced back to the year 1827 in a romantic poem of Thomas Hood titled as “Bianca’s Dream.” The poem has used the last part of the phrase.

“This, with more tender logic of the kind,
He pour’d into her small and shell-like ear,
That timidly against his lips inclin’d;
Meanwhile her eyes glanced on the silver sphere.”

Another use is traced to be in Mckean County Miner; a Pennsylvania based paper cited it in its publication of 1878.

“Without a word he clasped Miss Patterson in his arms. ‘My darling!’ was all he said. She struggled to free herself, strongly at first: but as he whispered something in the crimson shell-like ear close to his trembling lips, the pretty head sank upon his shoulder…”

Examples in Literature

Example #1

A Word in Your Shell-Like Ear by Nigel Rees

This is a dictionary or thesaurus type of informative book in which more than 6,000 such phrases have been explained. The author, Nigel Rees, who is a lexicographer of note, traced their origin, incidents related to them and their first usages. These phrases include titles, clichés, slangs, nicknames, quotations, and idiomatic phrases. Although there are many other books in the market, it seems to be a replacement of the old Brewer’s book titled as Phrase and Fable. The book has highlighted many extinct and new phrases and traced their origins, which makes it a unique book of this type. However, it is quite interesting that this book has not given many origins and etymological roots of its title.

Example #2

From the third chapter of The Public Property by Michael Ferres

“Yes, I know. Look, I know it’s Sunday, and I’m interfering with one of your rare moments of domestic felicity, and I’m a dreadful nuisance and a bore, but if you could just let me pour a few words in your shell-like ear for about five minutes, I’m sure you will agree this is a beauty.”

“What’s wrong with Len? He’s very competent editor.”

Craig sighted into the phone. “Well, quite frankly, I don’t think Len would put it in.”

“Then perhaps it’s a bad story.” There was silence at Craig’s end – sad, patient – and then Mr. Penley resumed, “All right. Go on.”

The paragraph highlights the conversation of Mr. Craig and Mr. Penley, two major characters involved in this section. Mr. Craig is sharing the details of the new editor that Mr. Penley is going to employ. The phrase has been used in the sense that Mr. Craig would first give some detail to Mr. Penely. In fact, he is asking Mr. Penley to give full attention to him for five minutes so that he can discuss the details with him. It means that the phrase has been used in the sense of demanding full attention without getting distracted.

Example #3

A Spanish Love Song by Mason Carnes

Each is laden with my love,
Isabel.

Each one bears to thee above
Incense from an inmost shrine,
Tokens from my heart to thine
Isabel.

“Love me,” whispers every one,
Isabel.

“Love me, love me but alone.”
In your shell-like ear there steal
Tiding of the love I feel.
Isabel.

Do these love-notes reach thy heart,
Isabel.

Do they make it trembling start
With a thrill of warm delight,
Or but meet with cold despite,
Isabel.

Mason Carnes has written this song to express the love for Isabel. The singer asks Isabel, his beloved, whether his love notes reach her ears or not. The phrase has been used in the sense of whether she pays attention to his love notes or not. The phrase has been used in the second stanza where he has preferably used the shell-like ears as the subject instead of as the object of the hearing. Therefore, it is a bit adjustment in the phrase that Mason Carnes has done to clarify his meanings.

Examples in Sentences as Literary Devices

Example #1: “A word in your shell-like ear would do nothing unless you are ready to hear it.” Here the phrase has been used as a metaphor for the whisper.

Example #2: “John has a word in your shell-like ear exactly like Jolly who whispers to you her poetry so that others should not hear.” In this sentence, the full phrase has been compared to the whisper of Jolly. Therefore, it has been used as a simile as the word “like” suggests.

Example #3: “Jessie speaks a word in your shell-like ear when you do not pay attention.” First, this phrase has been used as a metaphor of whisper, and second, the phrase itself is an example of comparison though it is a simile as the word “like” suggests. However, the comparison is also a separate rhetorical device used in this phrase.  

Example #4: “They have spoken many words in your shell-like ear, but you do not hear.” Here the speaker is using the phrase to accuse or rebuke the listener.

Example #5: “A word in your shell-like ear, you have to trust me,” whispered Noah, “Don’t send the report, you have to change the final quotes.” Here the phrase is used by the speaker to share private information and to stop him/her from sending reports.

 

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You may also like

  1. Word Play
  2. Hush Little Baby, Don’t Say a Word
  3. A Bad Penny Always Turns Up
  4. A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted
  5. A La Mode
  6. A Different Kettle of Fish
  7. A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing
  8. A Millstone Around One’s Neck
  9. A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever
  10. According to Hoyle
  11. Across the Board
  12. A Pig in a Poke
  13. Air Kiss
  14. Accidentally on Purpose
  15. Ars Longa, Vita Brevis
  16. An Englishman’s Home Is His Castle
  17. Anchors Aweigh
  18. An Apple A Day
  19. As Soon As Possible
  20. Alter Ego
  21. As Alike As Two Peas in a Pod
  22. As Fit As A Butcher’s Dog
  23. As High As a Kite
  24. As Happy As Larry
  25. All Things Come to Those Who Wait
  26. A Stitch in Time
  27. As Pure As The Driven Snow
  28. As Pleased As Punch
  29. As Thick As Thieves
  30. Ashes To Ashes
  31. Bag and Baggage
  32. Badger To Death
  33. Be All and End All
  34. Bats in the Belfry
  35. Beat Around the Bush
  36. Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder
  37. Bean Counter
  38. Big Fish in a Small Pond
  39. Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
  40. Behind the Eight Ball
  41. Better Late Than Never
  42. Bite the Bullet
  43. Best Bib and Tucker
  44. Beware the Ides of March
  45. Beyond the Pale
  46. Blood Is Thicker Than Water
  47. Blood and Thunder
  48. Blue Plate Special
  49. Bone Idle
  50. Bone Dry
  51. Bottom Drawer
  52. Brand Spanking New
  53. Boxing Day
  54. Black on Black
  55. Break The Ice
  56. Bring Home the Bacon
  57. Cannot Be Overestimated
  58. Camera Cannot Lie
  59. Chaise Lounge
  60. Charity Begins At Home
  61. Charley Horse
  62. Chit Chat
  63. Cherchez La Femme
  64. Cheek By Jowl
  65. Chickens Come Home To Roost
  66. Chip On Your Shoulder
  67. Sticks And Stones May Break My Bones
  68. Apple of My Eye
  69. Blue Blood
  70.  The Road Less Traveled
  71. The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword
  72. ‎Clutch At A Straw
  73. Cock a Hoop
  74. The Game is Afoot
  75. Come What May
  76. A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing
  77. There Are More Ways than One To Skin A Cat
  78. Tit for Tat
  79. Stranger Danger
  80. A Vicious Circle
  81. Tie the Knot
  82. The Best Laid Schemes of Mice and Men
  83. Whistle Down the Wind
  84. Cop An Attitude
  85. Cor Blimey
  86. Crop Up
  87. Cry Havoc And Let Slip The Dogs Of War
  88. Curiosity Killed The Cat
  89. Curry Favour
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  91. Davy Jones’ Locker
  92. Derring-do
  93. Designer Stubble
  94. The More the Merrier
  95. A Wild Goose Chase
  96. Doff Your Hat
  97. The Devil’s Advocate
  98. The Devil To Pay
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