find wit in

English translation: find inspiration in

09:16 Jan 30, 2005
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Textiles / Clothing / Fashion
English term or phrase: find wit in
I'm not sure what this expression means in the following paragraph (which is taken from a text on handbag design):
"Calligraphy, bamboo and designs inspired by lacquer work were the last word in chic in the '50s. More recent takes on the theme have found wit in the Chinese take-out box and the silk frogging of a cheong sam."
Johanna Holmberg (X)
Local time: 07:12
Selected answer:find inspiration in
Explanation:
Can't find references, but that's my understanding.

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Note added at 11 mins (2005-01-30 09:28:45 GMT)
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It doesn\'t seem to be a common expression, but the idea of \"inspiration\" is confirmed here:

A prolific writer of humorous mysteries/thrillers, Leonard is known for his ability to find wit in the most unlikely places, this time Rwandan genocide.
http://www.wiltonlibrary.org/laughterbest.asp
Selected response from:

Nesrin
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:12
Grading comment
Thanks, that's the way I interpreted it myself, but I wanted to have it confirmed!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +6find inspiration in
Nesrin
5 +2clever, keen perception, amusement, or pleasure
lindaellen (X)
3 +2liked, found it fashionable, the in thing
Edith Kelly
4liveliness >>>
Maria Chmelarova


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
liked, found it fashionable, the in thing


Explanation:
the same meaning as in your own sentence "the last word in chic" but expressed differently

Edith Kelly
Switzerland
Local time: 07:12
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  juvera
4 hrs

agree  Will Matter: they like it, they get something out of it, it inspires them.
10 hrs
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5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
clever, keen perception, amusement, or pleasure


Explanation:
It means how clever and amusing the new designs are.

lindaellen (X)
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  RHELLER: cleverness
6 hrs

agree  Will Matter: another way to put it.
10 hrs
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
find inspiration in


Explanation:
Can't find references, but that's my understanding.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2005-01-30 09:28:45 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It doesn\'t seem to be a common expression, but the idea of \"inspiration\" is confirmed here:

A prolific writer of humorous mysteries/thrillers, Leonard is known for his ability to find wit in the most unlikely places, this time Rwandan genocide.
http://www.wiltonlibrary.org/laughterbest.asp


Nesrin
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:12
Native speaker of: Arabic
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thanks, that's the way I interpreted it myself, but I wanted to have it confirmed!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tegan Raleigh
1 hr

agree  Nilgün Bayram (X)
2 hrs

agree  NancyLynn
3 hrs

agree  Spiros Doikas
7 hrs

agree  Maria Nicholas (X)
9 hrs

agree  Java Cafe
17 hrs
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
liveliness >>>


Explanation:
cunning - dexterous or crafty in the use of special resources...

Maria Chmelarova
Local time: 02:12
Native speaker of: Slovak
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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