Thinking about the immortality of the crab ( es, Pensando en la inmortalidad del cangrejo) is a Spanish

idiom An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, ...

about

daydream Daydreaming is the stream of consciousness that detaches from current, external tasks when attention drifts to a more personal and internal direction. This phenomenon is common in people's daily life shown by a large-scale study in which partici ...

ing. The phrase is usually a humorous way of saying that one was not sitting idly, but engaged constructively in

contemplation In a religious context, the practice of contemplation seeks a direct awareness of the divine which transcends the intellect, often in accordance with prayer or meditation. Etymology The word ''contemplation'' is derived from the Latin word '' ...

or letting one's mind wander. The phrase is usually used to express that an individual was daydreaming, "When I have nothing to do I think about the immortality of the crab" (). It is also used to wake someone from a

; "are you thinking about the immortality of the crab?" ()

In poetry

In literature

Dominican Poet and writer Edgar Smith wrote a novel in Spanish called ''La inmortalidad del cangrejo'', about a man who, tired of suffering in life, decides to kill himself, but, after three failed attempts, starts to wonder if he can die at all. The novel was critically acclaimed in Hispanic circles. It was officially released in January, 2015, in the Dominican Republic, then it was presented in June, in the US at an event at the Hamilton Grange library in Manhattan.

In film

*''

Sena/Quina, la inmortalidad del cangrejo ''Sena/Quina, la inmortalidad del cangrejo'' is a film written and directed by Paolo Agazzi. Synopsis The story of two minor con artists, who survive by deceiving others with small and ingenious scams. Their lives take an unexpected turn when atte ...

'' – 2005 film by

Paolo Agazzi ''Paolo Agazzi'' (born May 5, 1946 in Motta Baluffi, Italy), in the Cremona region. He has resided in Bolivia since 1975. He studied political science and economics in the State University of Milan as well as directing and writing at Superior I ...

Variants

The idiom is about daydreaming. Similar phrases are used in various languages. * cs, přemýšlet o nesmrtelnosti chrousta – thinking about the immortality of the

maybug The cockchafer, colloquially called Maybug, Maybeetle, or doodlebug, is the name given to any of the European beetles of the genus ''Melolontha'', in the family Scarabaeidae. Once abundant throughout Europe and a major pest in the periodical ye ...

('' chroust'') * fi, istun ja mietin syntyjä syviä – sitting and wondering about the world's early origins * pl, myśleć o niebieskich migdałach – literally, "thinking about blue almonds"; sometimes '' myśleć'' is replaced with '' śnić'' or '' marzyć'', changing the meaning to "dreaming about blue almonds". * pt, pensando na morte da bezerra – "thinking about the death of the calf" * ro, a se gândi la nemurirea sufletului - "thinking about the immortality of the soul"

References

External links