Meaning & Explanation
The idiom “A talk of chalk and you talk of cheese” describes a conversation where two people are completely misunderstanding or ignoring each other’s points, leading to a disconnected discussion.
Hindi Equivalent:
“सवाल एक, जवाब दूसरा”
Literal Meaning: “Question one, answer another”
Detailed Explanation
This expression highlights:
- Miscommunication: When responses don’t match the original topic
- Tangential Discussions: People veering off into unrelated subjects
- Frustration in Dialogue: The annoyance of not being understood
The phrase contrasts chalk (soft, white) and cheese (hard, yellow), emphasizing how two things can be entirely different yet mistakenly compared.
Real-Life Examples
1. Workplace Misalignment
English: “I asked for a budget report, and he started discussing office decor – a talk of chalk and you talk of cheese!”
Hindi: “मैंने बजट रिपोर्ट माँगी, और वह ऑफिस सजावट की बात करने लगा – सवाल एक, जवाब दूसरा!”
2. Political Debates
English: “The interviewer asked about policies, but the politician kept praising himself.”
Hindi: “इंटरव्यूअर ने नीतियों के बारे में पूछा, लेकिन नेता खुद की तारीफ़ करता रहा।”
3. Family Arguments
English: “Mom asked about homework, but the child started complaining about dinner.”
Hindi: “माँ ने होमवर्क के बारे में पूछा, लेकिन बच्चा रात के खाने की शिकायत करने लगा।”
Psychological & Social Insight
Why does this happen?
✓ Selective Listening – Hearing only parts of a conversation
✓ Deflection – Avoiding uncomfortable topics
✓ Lack of Focus – Mind wandering during discussions
Usage Tips
Use when describing frustrating miscommunications Works in professional, political, and personal contexts Helps call out irrelevant responses
Similar Expressions
| English | Hindi |
|---|---|
| “Apples and oranges” | “अलग-अलग बातें” |
| “Missing the point” | “मुद्दे से भटक जाना” |
| “Going off on a tangent” | “बात से बात निकालना” |
Cultural Perspectives
This concept appears globally:
- Japanese: “Neko ni koban” (Giving coins to a cat – pointless)
- Spanish: “Hablar de la música y él del canto” (You talk of music, he talks of singing)
- French: “Parler de la pluie et du beau temps” (Talking about rain and sunshine – superficial chat)
Reflection Questions:
- Have you experienced a “chalk and cheese” conversation?
- How can we improve communication to avoid this?
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