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A soldier was described as, "a moth to his family and a nuisance to the community." I understand the latter, but am unsure as to the former. So, what does a "moth to his family" mean?
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GaryYee o' the Land o' Rice a Roni & Cable Cars
High Private in The Company of Military Historians -
Re: What does this mean?
Consider this:
What does a moth do to clothing in a closet or chest?
Perhaps the line is insinuating that the fella has the same effect on his family.
Slowly eating away at things, making things useless, or rendering them unsuitable for public or intended use.Brian Hicks
Widows' Sons Mess
Known lately to associate with the WIG and the Armory Guards
"He's a good enough fellow... but I fear he may be another Alcibiades."
“Every man ever got a statue made of him was one kinda sumbitch or another. It ain’t about you. It’s about what THEY need.”CAPTAIN MALCOLM REYNOLDS -
Re: What does this mean?
Could also mean that he was always fluttering in and out as he pleased, never doing anything of value for the family.Bernard Biederman
30th OVI
Co. B
Member of Ewing's Foot Cavalry
Outpost IIIComment
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Re: What does this mean?
That sounds suspiciously like Hosea 5:12:Originally posted by Gary of CA View Post
Most commentaries on that passage seem to agree with Brian Hicks, that it's referring to the clothes moth which gradually eats up and destroys things.Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.
Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.netHank TrentComment
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Re: What does this mean?
Hank:
I think he is using the Revised Standard edition. Just me.Ley Watson
POC'R Boys Mess of the Columbia Rifles
[B][I]"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it."[/I][/B]
[I]Coach Lou Holtz[/I]Comment
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Re: What does this mean?
There is also the possibility of it meaning that he wouldn't leave home to do anything, taken from the saying "as a moth is drawn to the flame". It would mean he was lazy in this case.
However, I do not know how old that saying is (and couldn't find it with a brief internet search.), and in any case, the guy is still a burden to his family.[FONT=Trebuchet MS]Joanna Norris Forbes[/FONT]Comment
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