Caught this in the news today.
[source]
Popular English idiom touches a nerve
The use of the popular idiom ‘Barking up the wrong tree’ touched a raw nerve with an Umno assemblyman who thought that the idiom referred to a person as an animal that barked.Shabudin Yahaya (BN – Permatang Berangan) exchanged barbs with state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, who had earlier used the term when explaining statistics on hardcore poor families to Jasmin Mohamad (BN — Sungai Dua).
“Barking denotes an animal. I disagree to you using this idiom when speaking to the Sungai Dua assemblyman,” said Shabudin while interjecting during Jasmin’s debate on the motion of thanks on the Yang di-Pertua Negri’s opening speech yesterday.
Phee retorted that Shabu- din, who is also state Isla- mic Religious Council chair- man, did not understand the idiom.
“You (Shabudin) are barking up the wrong tree with your accusations now.
“If you do not know the meaning of this idiom, how can you serve as a YB (elected representative)?” asked Phee.
Shabudin argued that Phee was the one who was barking in the hall.
Later, outside the hall, Phee told reporters that he did not think it was derogatory to use this idiom when speaking to someone, including a Muslim.
He stressed that the literal meaning of idioms should not be taken.
Man, I would have quoted a Malay idiom to counter this ‘yang blur’ Shabudin guy – “You ni paranoid macam kera kena belacan“, and then get amused big time if he smells himself and check under his own coat if there are any ticks… (which I think he definitely would)
What a disgrace.
Farking stupid asshole.Bodoh also can become politician!!Malaysia Boleh!!
sigh…another “tin kosong buat bising”
what a disgrace. get karam singh walia tu conduct classes about idioms to these idiots.
“Barking denotes an animal”, actually not true. humans bark too. more so when they start speaking without going through the head first. due to their inferiority complex, they are easily offended by the slightest thing. i guess we have seen it much too often.
what the fuck man? this guy’s a retard man. i agree with pookyma man, how the heck did this guy become a politician? wait! how the fuck did he manage to live thus long?
It almost seems like the criteria to become a politician is you have to be crass, uneducated, barbaric, racist, make stupid comments, cheat, waste money, rape, pillage and plunder….
Makes me wonder sometimes whether we’re being ruled by people or semi-humanoids…
grrrrr……
Fucking useless nincompoop. Rot and die, idiot.
LOL.
Should I start whipping out the dildo for every time my boss says: F*** me! (she’s not that hot but that’s her expression every single time something goes wrong)
Mak oi if he’s so stupid he should just be put to sleep…..oh wait, if he’s reading this he will think I want him to go to bed