an attempt at resolving/achieving something with less effort than is required for success with a high probability of the attempt proving futile and unpleasant

By attempting to throw the game disc into the console from the couch rather than standing up and putting it in, the lazy high-schooler was licking a tree and hoping for maple syrup.

licking a tree and hoping for maple syrup by NotAnEnglishMajor (or student) August 26, 2020

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Licking a tree and hoping for maple syrup

Idiom; to attempt an ill-advised, mildly unpleasant shortcut to avoid a more complicated process, with a high probability of failure. The idiom itself is an example of such an experience, since licking trees is unpleasant, and even maple trees rarely taste sweet just by licking the bark. The idiom also implies that tried and true methods, rather than blind experimentation, yield better results. Drilling into the trunk of a maple tree with a tap, is the correct way to obtain maple syrup.

"Kicking the car to try and make it start again won't work. That's just licking a tree and hoping for maple syrup, honestly. Let's call a tow truck instead."

Licking a tree and hoping for maple syrup by missroxyspamcake August 27, 2020

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Nutshot

It is said of the situation where a person has the bad luck to make contact with his testicles against an undefined surface or object, intentioned or not.
Given the nature of the word, it is more appropriate to design cases where the interaction is made with a moving object, for example, a ball.
Although it is extremely painful for the victim, it tends to be considerably funny to people who witness it.

Today in the baseball game the pitcher took a nutshot; the baseball hit him in the nuts.

Man, I just watched the funniest nutshot video ever.

Nutshot by Uberflaven March 1, 2009

Word of the Day on June 26, 2026

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