To us humans, the time dimension is restricted to being a vector (usually shown as an arrow). It only flies in one direction: from past, through present, towards future.

time flies like sandflys.....

it only goes in one direction (?)
once it's gone you can't get it back (?)
once you let it go it's gone (?)

Harrow said..

Seems 'd1' and 'GPA' have figure out variations of number 2. Eight to go. (The rest are rather weird.)

1. Time goes by quickly.
2. Time moves the way an arrow would. Straight and predictable.

1 and 2 are splitting hairs. 1a and 1b maybe.

Jammed finger must have 2?

What about the Seagull that goes by the name Time? No that would be 1c

I give in. There's only 2 meanings.

Ha you got me intrigued Harrow.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_flies_like_an_arrow;_fruit_flies_like_a_banana
ell.stackexchange.com/questions/7/how-would-a-native-speaker-understand-time-flies-like-an-arrow
boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=586669

interesting , never heard that exact expression........ "time flies" yes heard and use that ..... but "arrow" naaaaa .

maybe my family and every person i have ever met are just lazy .... couldn't be bothered with the arrow .....


time does fly faster as we get older though , or so it seems !

enjoy that time yawl seabreezers !!!!!!

1. Time passes quickly, (or straight and predictably), like an arrow.
2. Measure the speed of flying insects the same way you would measure the speed of an arrow.
3. Measure the speed of flying insects that look like arrows.
4. Measure the speed of flying insects really quickly. (ie. don't take too long to do the measuring.)
5. "Time-flies" (a rarely known species of insect) are fond of arrows. (Well done 'jamdfingr' )

Measure the speed of flies that are fond of arrows?

needsalt said..

Life is short. Measure the speed of flies, be fond of an arrow

LOL, I like it! That can be number 6.

7. There's an American Indian who is really fast. They call him "Flies like an arrow". Go and measure how quickly he can run the 100m sprint.

HHMMMM "Time flies like an arrow"

My logic goes like this:

1. There was an Indian Arrow motorcycle.
2. Indian also made Scouts and Chiefs.
3. "The Worlds Fastest Indian" was a mongrel Scout built and ridden by Bert Munroe (from across the ditch).
4. You can get fast Indian Chiefs - for their time.
5. You can get fast Scouts - Bert's bike was !
6. I've never heard of a fast Indian Arrow.
7. So therefore if "Time flies like an Arrow" it must mean that time goes by really slowly then because the Indian Arrow certainly was slow!

I worked that by simple logic and several glasses of wine.....

A couple more, almost done.

1. Time passes quickly, (or straight and predictably), like an arrow.
2. Measure the speed of flying insects the same way you would measure the speed of an arrow.
3. Measure the speed of flying insects that look like arrows.
4. Measure the speed of flying insects really quickly. (ie. don't take too long to do the measuring.)
5. "Time-flies" (a rarely known species of insect) are fond of arrows in general. (Well done 'jamdfingr' )
6. "Time-flies" (a rarely known species of insect) like a particular arrow. (How is this different than '5'? Think of "Jim likes a beer" and "Jim likes a girl")
7. Life is short. Measure the speed of flies, be fond of arrows. (Brilliant 'needsalt'! )
8. There's an American Indian who is really fast. They call him "Flies like an arrow". Go and measure how quickly he can run the 100m sprint.
9. It's about time flying insects gave up their prejudice against arrows.

Not sure if anyone is really interested, or if I'm just boring you all to tears. 'Green thumb' this post if you want to know number 10...it's a real doozey!!

Okay, you asked for it. (Well, it seems at least one person did.)

So, here we go...

In England, when it is time for the bar to close, it is customary to call out "Time, gentlemen!". Also, in Essex, there is a taxi company called "Arrow Taxis".

10. Imagine a group of flying insects (flies) who have been having a session at their local pub in Essex. At closing time, the barmaid calls "time" to the group (of flies), but also offers to order them an (Arrow) taxi-cab to get them home. "Time, flies! Like an Arrow (taxi)?"

References:
www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Time%20Gentlemen%20Please
www.arrowtaxi.co.uk/

Time gets faster as you get older because for example .When your one year old a year is 100% of your time but if you are 100 years old its only one percent.
Ive never heard of time flying like an arrow but I have heard it flies while your having fun.

Fun thread, pity I missed it.

For anyone who wants to continue the fun, have a crack at interpreting this linguistically correct 100% valid english sentence:

"Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo"

I made the mistake of googling the buffalo thingy

now my brain hurts from trying to understand had had had had had had had had had had had had had had had had had had had had had had



stephen