The question is slightly bird relevant. I wonder why shags should be seen as solitary, compared to cormorants. Is that true? I doubt it.
Actually I was misquoting an old joke, rather than you: “What is the difference between a shag and a cormorant?”
Beyond that I agree though, it is silly and wise to leave it at that (which was in a way my intention).
Philip
From: Geoff [
Sent: Monday, 8 October, 2018 7:00 AM
To: 'Philip Veerman'; 'canberrabirds chatline'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] New Zealand bird of the year poll subject to dirty tricks - by Aussies
Phillip
You have misquoted me and the meaning of the saying. I deliberately stayed away from such
discourse nor would I comment on a rock and a hard place.
I think we should now end this conversation.
Geoff
From: Philip Veerman <>
Sent: Sunday, 7 October 2018 11:19 PM
To: 'canberrabirds chatline' <>
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] New Zealand bird of the year poll subject to dirty tricks - by Aussies
Wouldn’t it be indulging in sexual intercourse, whilst on a rock…….. or a question: “would you like
a SHAG on a rock ….”? I doubt many Australians would know what a Shag is, in terms of a bird. Although
I have read somewhere that people do not like to cormorant on a rock.
Philip
From: Geoff
Sent: Sunday, 7 October, 2018 5:46 PM
To: 'Martin Butterfield'; 'David Rees'
Cc: 'COG List'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] New Zealand bird of the year poll subject to dirty tricks - by Aussies
Martin
The saying that I have heard is “Like a SHAG on a rock”.
Interestingly “UsingEnglish.com” writes
If someone feels like a shag on a rock, they are lonely or isolated. A shag is an Australian bird that often perches alone on a rock.
(https://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/like+a+shag+on+a+rock.html)
Geoff
From: Martin Butterfield <>
Sent: Sunday, 7 October 2018 5:29 PM
To: David Rees <>
Cc: Geoff <>; COG List <m("canberrabirds.org.au","canberrabirds");">>
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] New Zealand bird of the year poll subject to dirty tricks - by Aussies
Has anyone ever heard anyone in Australia (or NZ) refer to someone being "as lonely as a cormorant on a rock"?
