Explanation needed

tursiops · 01-06-2009, 06:40

Hi all!

I would like to have an explanation on a special english expression. The sentence goes like this:

They're far too sensitive to ever be a ham

What in hell does "be a ham" means?

Thank you all in advance!

PS: If you need more context I can provide it to you.

***Gordon*** · 01-06-2009, 06:53

Context would help, it looks like it should be 'harm' though.

**pickarooney** · 01-06-2009, 07:18

Is the context an acting audition?

tursiops · 01-06-2009, 18:19

Hi!
Thanks for your answer, here is the context:

Feminists don’t have a sense of humor
They're far too sensitive to ever be a ham

If you want to see the whole thing:
http://dotsub.com/view/67c07204-652b...4-6821424a4b17

**donegalfella** · 01-06-2009, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by tursiops

Feminists don’t have a sense of humor
They're far too sensitive to ever be a ham

Might it have anything to do with the feminist tendency to label insensitive men "pigs"?

MathsManiac · 05-06-2009, 19:13

The immediately preceding line is not the one you quoted. So the context is:

Feminists spread viscious lies and rumors.
They're far too sensitive to ever be a ham,

So maybe being a ham is about being clumsy, boorish, ham-fisted, and the meaning is that feminists are more subtle and indirect in how they take out opponents.

**pickarooney** · 06-06-2009, 12:37

It's ham as in 'ham-actor' as far as I can tell. Feminists, apparently lack the sense of irony and self-deprecation necessary to successfully act the ham - deliberately overplay a role for comedic effect.

Ironic or not, them's some mighty awful lyrics.

01-06-2009, 06:40	#1
tursiops Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 16 Adverts \| Friends	Explanation needed Hi all! I would like to have an explanation on a special english expression. The sentence goes like this: They're far too sensitive to ever be a ham What in hell does "be a ham" means? Thank you all in advance! PS: If you need more context I can provide it to you.

01-06-2009, 06:53	#2
*Gordon* Administrator Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 22,465 Adverts \| Friends Admin: Prison	Context would help, it looks like it should be 'harm' though. __________________ Subscribe to boards \| Cake or Pie? \| Bring back Survivor: Boards.ie

01-06-2009, 07:18	#3
pickarooney Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: France Posts: 7,516 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Creative Writing	Is the context an acting audition? __________________

06-06-2009, 12:37	#7
pickarooney Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: France Posts: 7,516 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Creative Writing	It's ham as in 'ham-actor' as far as I can tell. Feminists, apparently lack the sense of irony and self-deprecation necessary to successfully act the ham - deliberately overplay a role for comedic effect. Ironic or not, them's some mighty awful lyrics. __________________

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01-06-2009, 18:19	#4
tursiops Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 16 Adverts \| Friends	Hi! Thanks for your answer, here is the context: Feminists don’t have a sense of humor They're far too sensitive to ever be a ham If you want to see the whole thing: http://dotsub.com/view/67c07204-652b...4-6821424a4b17

05-06-2009, 19:13	#6
MathsManiac Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 675 Adverts \| Friends	The immediately preceding line is not the one you quoted. So the context is: Feminists spread viscious lies and rumors. They're far too sensitive to ever be a ham, So maybe being a ham is about being clumsy, boorish, ham-fisted, and the meaning is that feminists are more subtle and indirect in how they take out opponents.