Chinese Uncle?
Chinese Uncle?
henryt
Broadway Star Joined: 7/26/07
#1Chinese Uncle?
Posted: 4/28/09 at 7:32pm
Hi
Can someone please explain the line "I am talking like a chinese uncle" from Don't Marry Me from Flower Drum Song?
Thanks
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#2re: Chinese Uncle?
Posted: 4/28/09 at 8:26pmThe Uncle is the revered smartest member of the family.
#2re: Chinese Uncle?
Posted: 4/28/09 at 10:15pmAlso, "uncle" is a title of respect for your elders, as is "auntie", and they are often used in addressing any elder even if they are not relatives.
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#3re: Chinese Uncle?
Posted: 4/28/09 at 10:20pm
The Uncle is the revered smartest member of the family.
...what?
I have 5 (Chinese) uncles and I love 'em, but I've never heard of this.
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CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#4re: Chinese Uncle?
Posted: 4/28/09 at 11:08pm
I made it up.
But the Elders are revered also "A man of a certain age who has not chained himself to a woman is wise indeed"
Ancient Chinese Gay Proverb.
Updated On: 4/28/09 at 11:08 PM
ghostlight2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/04
#5re: Chinese Uncle?
Posted: 4/29/09 at 6:45pm
I'll hazard the guess it's a play on the idiosyncratic phrase: "Talk like a Dutch uncle", which means to speak very seriously to someone, sometimes reprovingly, usually giving advice. I'm not familiar with Flower Drum Song, but I'm guessing the singer is Chinese? So they just changed the nationality for a laugh. The phrase would have been a more familiar one back then.
Dunno. It fits with the lyrics.
Talk like a Dutch uncle
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