The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PROVERBIAL METAPHOR

A CHAIR HAS A BACK BUT IT DOESN'T WEAR A COAT.

Submitter comment: MEANING HERE THAT MOST THINGS THAT DO HAVE A BACK ARE ABLE TO
WEAR A COAT. IT'S AN ATTEMPT AT PERSONIFICATION.
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME AT A DINNER I ATTENDED. I HEARD THIS USED AS A
RETORT RATHER THAN A RIDDLE, I.E. THAT'S LIKE THE ONE OF THE CHAIR
THAT HAS A BACK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CLOTHING ; FUNCTION ; HUMAN CREATION

James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION

Date learned: 10-05-1971