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Hyperbole
Definition of Idiom
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on a literal interpretation of the words in the phrase. For... read full definition
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on a literal interpretation of the... read full definition
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on... read full definition
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Got The Ax:
Holden uses an idiom that’s also a metaphor to describe his expulsion from Pencey Prep. He tells the reader that, despite his efforts, he “got the ax”:
They gave me frequent warning to start applying myself—especially around mid-terms, when my parents came up for a conference with old Thurmer—but I didn’t do it. So I got the ax. They give guys the ax quite frequently at Pencey.
The idiom "getting the ax," as Holden uses it here, typically means being fired or dismissed, as it contains an implied metaphor of something being chopped off or separated. By saying he "got the ax," Holden’s making light of the permanent and shocking nature of his expulsion from Pencey. He's also admitting his own failure to meet the school's academic expectations. In addition to this, Salinger’s ax metaphor extends beyond its literal meaning to reflect Holden's broader feelings of rejection and inadequacy. Even though he reassures his audience that “they give the ax quite frequently at Pencey,” the use of this idiom implies that he feels he’s been severed from something that was important to him. By making it sound like a joke, he’s downplaying his failure. It’s an attempt to cope with the disappointment by brushing it off rather than feeling it fully.
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Chapter 17
Explanation and Analysis—Soul Kiss:
Holden says a rude, period-specific idiomatic thing to Sally when he notices her attention is straying to another boy while they're at the theater together:
Old Sally kept saying, “I know that boy from somewhere.” She always knew somebody, any place you took her, or thought she did. She kept saying that till I got bored as hell, and I said to her, “Why don’t you go on over and give him a big soul kiss, if you know him? He’ll enjoy it.”
In this passage, Holden uses the 1950s idiom "soul kiss" to make Sally uncomfortable. The term "soul kiss" refers to a passionate kiss with tongues. However, it also carries a more vulgar and overtly sexual connotation than the related terms Holden normally uses, like “necking” or even “French Kiss.”
The idiom "soul kiss" was first used in the mid 19th century and reached its peak of familiarity in 1950s America. Saying one had a "soul kiss" with someone implies a connection that goes beyond the physical. In the most basic sense, the expression suggests that the people who are kissing do it “with their souls.”
In spite of this, since it’s usually used in a sarcastic way, the intensity of the expression “soul kiss” is more mockery than romance. Holden's use of this idiom to needle Sally is another instance of his inclination to use provocative language to diffuse intimacy. By suggesting that Sally should give the boy a "big soul kiss," Holden is trying to embarrass her and express his irritation at her wandering attention. He wants her to protest, which will spark conversation and turn her attention back his way. The way Holden uses the idiom here is the 1950s equivalent of, “If you like him so much, why don’t you marry him?”
Related Themes:
