
IdiomThe Absurd
English
Captain Obvious
Meaning: A mocking name for someone who states the obvious.
Example: “"It's raining, so the ground is wet." "Thanks, Captain Obvious."”
Origin: A joke superhero title, common in American slang from the late 20th century. The French equivalent recalls the 16th-century Marshal de La Palice, whose epitaph was turned into a song of absurd truisms.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Une lapalissade Literally: A La Palice-ism
More English idioms
- think the moon is made of green cheese To be very gullible.
- ants in one's pants Restless, unable to sit still.
- blistering barnacles A comic exclamation of surprise or anger.
- let's hit the road Let's leave; let's get going.
- gone with the wind Gone forever, vanished without a trace.
- without fanfare Quietly, without any publicity.
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