en temps et lieux utiles

an English translation of a French phrase meaning

"when the time, place, context and/or circumstances are appropriate for one to learn something"

son: Dad, I'd like to learn how to drive a car, my older brother who is 16, is learning how to drive. Why can't I?

father: Oh. you'll learn en temps et lieux utiles, all right but, at age 13, you are definitely not old enough. now, go to bed.

by Sexydimma March 26, 2013

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Get the en temps et lieux utilesmug.

utility knock-knock joke

Any of several well-known "door-tap pun" verbal exchanges which involve either an offer ("Howard", "Tijuana", etc.) or a request ("Woodrow", "Kudu", etc.) by da speaker to da listener; often, said query is proffered in said manner in an effort to lighten da mood and add a little humor to said proposal, in order to hopefully take some of da sting outta da expressed idea, which might involve less-than-desirable aspects such as difficult/yucky/tedious labor, significant changes in habits/lifestyle such as being more active and/or giving up "comfort" foods, etc.

A lot of da utility knock-knock joke selections are somewhat "interchangeable" as far as their "request" or "offer" status --- i.e., a word dat's mostly intended for proposing an assistive/generosity action by da speaker to da listener (such as "Howard you like me to _?", or "Tijnana do/have _?") can also be used by da speaker for asking for assistance/charity from da listener (such as, "Howard you feel about doing _?", or "Tijuana volunteer to _?"). Or by da same token, a gigglingly-uttered conversing dat uses a word which is usually reserved for giving-of-time/resources appeals can also be used by da speaker to extend an offer of help to da listener, such as, "Woodrow like me to _?", or "Kudu let me help you out by _?"

by QuacksO June 15, 2024

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