Legs like a Sumo Wrestler

[ailbhe]

You can go far on legs like those.
It was supposed to be an insult but I don't know how it goes.
Strong for climbing, straight for standing,
Strong for jumping, flexed for landing,
Soft and supple, smooth and long,
And very, very, very strong.

"I'm not trying to be funny," said a man, "but she has legs like a Sumo wrestler." "Yes," I said, grinning (somewhat forced, but there you go) "aren't they fabulous?"

Comments

[beaq.livejournal.com]

Was he being critical, do you think?

[merryhouse.livejournal.com]

the "I'm not trying to be funny" gives it away somewhat

[beaq.livejournal.com]

Well, I wasn't sure. I'm having a really hard time imagining the tone of voice. It was hard to imagine someone coming up out of the blue to say something very critical about a baby's body, such that they would have to make sure you *knew* they were being critical. So it was like, well, maybe ... he was not trying to be funny, but to be complimentary, and wanted to make sure it wasn't taken as a joke? I dunno, it was just hard to parse.

[ailbhe]

Friend of mine had someone walk up to her as she fed her daughter and say, outright, "Your baby is too thin." People are very strange.

(I'm not trying to be funny is analogous to No offense but...)

[beaq.livejournal.com]

Ehhgggh!

Thanks for the elucidation.

Egh.

[firecat]

Woo!

[supermouse.livejournal.com]

Go you.