Peter Rhodes on faint praise, good intentions and a charred reminder of Boadicea
I wrote a few days ago about traditional expressions (pearls before swine, nailing colours to the mast, etc) which now mean nothing to younger folk.
Let's add a couple more, inspired by recent reports, which may baffle the under-30s.
How about that venerable term “damned with faint praise”? This is perfectly demonstrated by the Rev Colin Corke, chairman of Allegro Club International, speaking on the 50th anniversary of the much-mocked Austin saloon. Here is his damning faint praise about the Allegro: “Everybody said it was rubbish, but it wasn't a terrible car.” I bet Mr Corke has never worked in advertising.
