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Unread 12-20-2015, 02:23 AM   #11
ithacaartist
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alvin View Post
In memory, I remembered an English phase talking about the relationship between purse and ear... but I could not remember the exact phrase... This must be the one!!

In Chinese, a phrase says "Embroidery on top of hemp made bag", probably carries the similar meaning.
A similar, more recent expression is "to put lipstick on a pig". Origin unknown, but lipstick first appeared around 1860. I recall hearing it during the elections four years ago (?).

Then there's the one about a wallet fashioned from the skin of a male pig's member--which turns into a suitcase when rubbed.
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