you don't look at the mantelpiece when you poke the fire
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Alternative form of you don't look at the mantelpiece when you're poking the fire.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “you don't look at the mantelpiece when you poke the fire” mean?
Alternative form of you don't look at the mantelpiece when you're poking the fire.
Is “you don't look at the mantelpiece when you poke the fire” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.