Thread: и как в воду глядел

Please explain. Does this mean: having a puzzled, or joyful, or curiously expression, on one's face?

Originally Posted by Siriusly

Please explain. Does this mean: having a puzzled, or joyful, or curiously expression, on one's face?

Here, it means - predicted the outcome correctly; as if he had a crystal ball.

"Как в воду глядеть" means to know smth beforehand, to foreknow, to foresee.

Since we're on the subject, what about:
"ни фига себе"

Means something like "excellent"; but why? Literally it should mean: "he does not have a fig"; so why is this good. Now Fig Newtons are good! Do Russians have Fig Newtons?

Originally Posted by Siriusly

Since we're on the subject, what about:
"ни фига себе"

Means something like "excellent"; but why? Literally it should mean: "he does not have a fig"; so why is this good. Now Fig Newtons are good! Do Russians have Fig Newtons?

It depends on the context but usually, it has a surprise element.
Like,
How about that?
No sh!t?
Are you kidding me?
etc.

Originally Posted by Siriusly

Since we're on the subject, what about:
"ни фига себе"

Means something like "excellent"; but why? Literally it should mean: "he does not have a fig"; so why is this good. Now Fig Newtons are good! Do Russians have Fig Newtons?

1. "Ни фига себе!" = "Ничего себе!" = "Wow!"
2. "Ни фига себе заявочка!" = "No!"

Originally Posted by Siriusly

Literally it should mean: "he does not have a fig"

"What a fig!"

Originally Posted by Wowik

Originally Posted by Siriusly

Literally it should mean: "he does not have a fig"

"What a fig!"

Nobody says that

Originally Posted by Wowik

"Ни фига себе заявочка!" = "No!"

I don't think so.