Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	Ardath Figures of Speech
Year	1936
Size	1 1/2″ x 2 5/8″
Images	Color
Type	Tobacco
Number in Set	50

1936 Ardath Figures of Speech Set Overview

This set was based on humor and is called, “Figures of Speech.” The cards were produced by Ardath Tobacco Company, Ltd., presumably for their State Express and Ardath Cigarettes, which are mentioned on the back as their brands.

The cards feature colorful cartoon images of generally humorous scenarios. A caption is provided of a common figure of speech. The pictures and the correlation with the phrases vary. Some depict the phrase as if it were quite literal while others show a more accurate depiction of what the phrase is.

It is worth pointing out that some of the sayings are similar but slightly different than they are in America today. For example, one card uses the expression, “Hauled over the coals.” Typically, that phrase would be said as, “Raked over the coals,” at least in America.

Backs of the cards have a description of the phrase and photo shown as well as a card number and a mention that there are 50 cards in the set. While most of the cards are not sports-related, two are, as a boxing and golf card are featured.

Both the golf and boxing cards are shown here.The golf card shows a frustrated golfer after, seemingly, missing a short putt. The boxing card features a boxer that has been defeated and being hit with an umbrella by a spectator.

1936 Ardath Figures of Speech Set Checklist

1. A bee in his bonnet
2. A cat may look at a king
3. A cock and bull story
4. Adding insult to injury (Boxing)
5. All my eye and Betty Martin
6. A nod is as good as a wink
7. At sixes and sevens
8. Between the devil and the deep sea
9. Between two stools
10. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth
11. Burn one’s boats
12. Burning the candle at both ends
13. Bury the hatchet
14. By hook or by crook
15. Down in the dumps
16. Eat humble pie
17. Fat’s in the fire
18. Feather in his cap
19. Get out of bed the wrong side
20. Get the sack
21. In queer street
22. Hobson’s choice
23. He’ll never set the Thames on fire
24. Hauled over the coals
25. Give the cold shoulder
26. Not room to swing a cat
27. Nine days’ wonder
28. Make your hair stand on end
29. In the swim
30. In the nick of time
31. Not worth his salt
32. On thetnerhooks
33. Pig in a poke
34. Sail close to the wind
35. Save one’s bacon
36. Sent to coventry
37. Sleep like a top
38. Spick and span
39. Take the bull by the horns
40. Tell that to the Marines
41. That’s a chestnut
42. The end of his tether
43. There’s many a slip twixt cup and lip (Golf)
44. Three sheets in the wind
45. To leave in the lurch
46. Turn the tables
47. Up the spout
48. When in Rome do as Rome does
49. Who’s to pay the piper
50. You can’t make bricks without straw

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