Trips to the supermarket — or anywhere where money changes hands — are now so expensive that ‘spending like a drunken sailor’ no longer sounds strong enough to describe an act of mindless recklessness. How about ‘spending like a drunken admiral’?
To my eye, “an act of mindless recklessness” in the sentence refers not to “shopping for food” but to “spending like a drunken sailor.” I agree: inflation causes sudden rise in prices, risen prices make the head spin — thus replicating the effect of drunkenness. And spending follows — though not because one is drunk, but because one has to eat. Yet the effect on the pocketbook is the same. A sharp observation!
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How is shipping for food “mindless recklessness?”
To my eye, “an act of mindless recklessness” in the sentence refers not to “shopping for food” but to “spending like a drunken sailor.” I agree: inflation causes sudden rise in prices, risen prices make the head spin — thus replicating the effect of drunkenness. And spending follows — though not because one is drunk, but because one has to eat. Yet the effect on the pocketbook is the same. A sharp observation!
Well said, Lev. Thank you.