Re: sight for sore eyes

[Sroundtable@xxxxxxx]

> During Daltrey's autobiographical singing segment at the end of "The Kids 
> Are Alright" (the song - as it was performed on the last tour), he says,
> "I remember when I was 16 (?), what a sight for sore eyes I must've been."
> 
> Now, I believe he's trying to infer that at age 16 he was rough, tough, & 
> scruffy looking.  But actually he's saying the exact opposite with his
> "sight for sore eyes" line.
> 
> If you see someone who is a "sight for sore eyes," you're *happy* to see
> them.  You're glad.  Relieved.  Attracted.
> 
> Daltrey is unconsciously transferring the negative connotations of the ad-
> jective "sore" from the viewer's eyes to his young rough 
> appearance!  In
> short, he's using the cliche' incorrectly.
> 
> Maybe Pete will tell him.

I thought the same thing, but figured there was some british meaning to the term that was different in meaning, or that Roger was trying to say something more subtle.  I was also perplexed by the lyrics.

Mc