That’s A Fly In The Ointment

(I’m explaining the saying ‘You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar’ to my 9-year-old son.)

Me: “You can get more nice things if you act sweet than if you are sour and nasty.”

Son: “Oh, so the honey is like if I act sweet.”

Me: “Right!”

Son: “And vinegar is if I am being sour and nasty?”

Me: “You got it!”

Son: “And the flies are nice things?”

Me: “Um. I guess so.”

Son: “Why are flies nice things?”

Me: “Um…”

Son: “Who wants to catch flies, anyway? Don’t you want them to go away?”

(I think all he learned is that idioms are stupid!)