Fine as Frog’s Hair
Please welcome my friend Carlton Hughes as today’s guest writer. Carlton and I met at Kentucky Christian Writers Conference. Carlton, represented by Cyle Young of C.Y.L.E. Agency, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesdays and Sundays, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who enjoys classic sitcoms and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Focus on the Family, and numerous devotional books from Worthy Publishing, including The Wonders of Nature, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb, from Ellie Claire/Hachette Publishing. Carlton also enjoys dressing up as crazy characters and making videos for his children’s ministry. He once made actress Emilia Clarke laugh.
I used to go to church with a man who introduced me to this phrase. Whenever I greeted him and asked how he was doing, he always answered the same way.
“Fine as frog’s hair!”
Frogs don’t have hair, but, if they did, it would be fine — thin, hard to see. This phrase is a play on the word “fine,” which can also mean “good.”
We often greet each other and give an automatic answer.
If you ask me how I am, I will answer, “fine” without even thinking.
I recently had the flu, and I definitely did not feel fine, frog hair or none. If someone had asked “How are you,” I could have honestly answered, “Horrible!”
As Christians, we need to be real with each other.
Putting on a fake smile and pretending everything is okay when we are hurting is not the way to go. The Bible encourages us to bear each other’s burdens. We don’t have to give a gloomy answer when someone asks about our condition. However, we should be honest with our Christian brothers and sisters if something is wrong.
“An honest answer is a sign of true friendship” (Proverbs 24:26 GNT).
Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.
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17 thoughts on “Fine as Frog’s Hair”
It’s hard to break the habit of the fleeting ‘fine’ answer. In truth it’s more like,’how much time can you spare to listen to my story,friend?’ A true friend will stop to listen. The non-true only want to hear the quip of ‘fine’ and be on down the hallway. I like the verse you chose.
How true, Joy. The move from polite to concerned requires a much greater investment. I like that verse too. Thank you.
Thanks for reading and commenting! So true.
Wise words for Christ-followers, Carlton, thanks!
I always look forward to anything Carlton has to say, Shirley. Thank you.
Thanks, Shirley! Appreciate you taking the time to read it!
I always say you might as well say fine – because if someone asks you – How are you doing? – they will walk away before you can tell them!
That goes along with what Joy said, Jay. We have become so accustomed to using “How are you?” as a greeting that we don’t pay attention to the answer. Maybe we can surprise people next time by saying, “Hang on. Let me tell you.” That would be a shocker. We might also be shocked if someone said it to us in our busy schedules.
So true! Good insight. Thanks for reading!
Great commentary, Carlton! Thank you for your words of wisdom. (and to Diana for inviting you to post)
Connie, I always look forward to Carlton’s words of wisdom (and humor). Thank you.
Thanks, Connie! Love your Wisdom from the Doublewide as well! Thanks for reading!
Thanks to Diana for allowing me to write for her blog and to everyone for reading and for the kind comments!
Thank you, Carlton. Funny or serious, I always enjoy your comments.
I think I learned that phrase from the same feller Prof. Carlton. So enjoy your down-home humor sir. Thank you. The version I learned also included a phrase for when you felt especially good, that’s when you’re “Finer’n frog’s hair split six ways.” Sure to get a quizzical look or six, but I like it more than, “I am blessed and highly favored”, to which I reply, “Aren’t we all?” Have a good ‘un friends.
I’ve heard that version of the phrase as well! Thanks for reading, commenting, and sharing, J.D.
J.D. and Carlton, I can only imagine the knee-slapping fun if the two of you ever spent any time together.