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meaning of expression "miserable Marjorie"

ext481

ext481Super Member!

Russian Federation

I was reading an English book and in one chapter a young indian girl (living in England) applied to the job center in an attempt to find some paid work. She attended a few interviews, with no success, no one wanted to hire her. Then the woman from the job center called her again and suggested another variant.


Girl:  Thank you. That sounds good.


The woman from the job center: Oh dear. I hope you sound less like a miserable Marjorie in the interview.


Girl: I’m sorry. It sounds great.


I wonder what the expression to “sound like a miserable Marjorie” means and if it is an idiom? Is miserable Marjorie a character from a folk fairy tale or a film?



08:58 AM Aug 12 2016 |

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Teacher AmySuper Member!

United States

Hi, 



This is a fun literary question! However, I don’t have a lot of information. 



I believe I heard this expression as a child when my mother read me old British stories. However, the expression “miserable Marjorie” is not used today. 



I believe this expression is about 100 years old and British, but I don’t think it was used a lot because I can’t find much information about it.



In general, a “miserable Marjorie” would be a person (typically female) who is unhappy or not excited about life. In your example, this expression suggests that the young Indian girl spoke with a very bored voice when she said, “Thank you. That sounds good.”



I don’t know if there was ever a real person name Marjorie for whom this expression began. Please, tell me if you find more information. :)



Best,



Amy

11:24 PM Aug 12 2016 |

ext481

ext481Super Member!

Russian Federation

Thank you, teacher Amy!

10:24 AM Aug 13 2016 |