11
It is a line from an American TV drama when a man saw a young boy after 5 years and said: Last time I saw you, you were too short to ride the Cyclone.
I searched on Google and it shows that ride a cyclone is a musical with music (I'm a non-American), and I was confused by the meaning of "ride"...
Can anyone give me some explanation about the whole line?
scarlett
Posted 2018-10-15T11:11:44.350
Reputation: 1 127
20
The "Cyclone" was, and still is, an amusement park ride at Coney Island, New York.
You have to be a certain height in order to ride it. The phrase means something like, "Last time I saw you, you were just a little kid."
Vekzhivi
Posted 2018-10-15T11:11:44.350
Reputation: 726
6Not just Coney Island (though that one might be most famous); it's a common name for roller coasters in the US, so the meaning is likely to be recognizable even for folks who haven't heard of the Coney Island ride. – 1006a – 2018-10-15T15:34:24.577
2@1006a - Good point. I didn't realize it was of Coney Island origin, but certainly understood the reference to a rollercoaster. Sort of like how "Sizzler" is a generic restaurant (that is generally buffet style, all-you-can-eat) – BruceWayne – 2018-10-15T15:54:07.437
@BruceWayne Sizzler is a chain with 270 locations in the US. Apparently it is used as a more generic word in India, but it refers to grilled meats and vegetables served on a hot plate (similar to fajitas). That said, maybe in the Midwest people use "sizzler" like they use "coke"? – stannius – 2018-10-15T15:57:38.860
@stannius - Woah, I didn't realize it was a chain. Never seen one before despite living in various states. Thanks for pointing that out! (I had always assumed some TV show used the name frequently, so it became a generic word. Didn't think they might be referring to a real place.) – BruceWayne – 2018-10-15T16:08:18.073
1@BruceWayne Lots of restaurant and grocery chains are regional. I never saw a "Piggly Wiggly" and it sounded like a made-up name, since I've always lived in the northeast, but they're mostly in the south and midwest. – Barmar – 2018-10-15T17:01:06.320
1I see why you were confused. "Ride the Cyclone" is a musical play about some teenagers who die in an accident on an amusement park ride, and what happens to them in the afterlife; it is a funny but very strange play. But knowing that will not really help you understand how the phrase is used in that sentence. – Eric Lippert – 2018-10-15T22:36:07.423
Yes exactly! It's pretty interesting that for the non-Americans like me, you have to know some American culture or common sense to understand the drama, and I'm really glad to find answers here! – scarlett – 2018-10-17T12:07:00.813