what's the difference between suckling and sucking? again, from the Simpsons. "Let's get one of those satellite dishes. Then we can stop suckling on the six-network teat". Don't understand the mean

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what's the difference between suckling and sucking? again, from the Simpsons. "Let's get one of those satellite dishes. Then we can stop suckling on the six-network teat". Don't understand the meaning of "suckling on a teat" compared to "sucking a teat". Thanks.

30 août 2017 10:32

Réponses · 6

Suckling is only used with a teat - it means milk feeding from a mother. Usually you don't mention what it's 'on', as that is obvious. Sucking can be on anything. So, with in the specific case of a teat, they are nearly synonymous. Obviously - in your phrase, there are some unsaid implications! The phrase 'suckling pig' means a piglet that has not yet been weaned.

30 août 2017

The explanation of the metaphor here is that the speaker is dependent on TV from the established 6 stations. If he gets a satellite dish, he won't be dependent any more.

30 août 2017

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