a nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat

a nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat

English

Phrase

a nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat

1. (simile, colloquial) The idea/proposed action is inconsequential to the current situation.
   • 1969, Monty Python's Flying Circus, "Nudge Nudge", a sketch from the third episode of the British comedy series, first broadcast on the BBC on 19th October 1969, featuring Eric Idle and Terry Jones as two strangers in a pub. Conversation:

     – Idle: Is your wife a… a goer… eh? Know what I mean? Know what I mean? Nudge nudge. Nudge nudge. Know what I mean? Say no more. Know what I mean?
     – Jones: I beg your pardon?
     – Idle: Your wife… does she, er, does she ‘go’… eh? eh? eh? Know what I mean, know what I mean? Nudge nudge. Say no more.
     – Jones: Well, she sometimes ‘goes’, yes.
     – Idle: I bet she does. I bet she does. I bet she does. Know what I mean? Know what I mean? Nudge nudge.
     – Jones: I’m sorry, I don’t quite follow you.
     – Idle: Follow me. Follow me. And I like that. That’s good. A nod’s as good as a wink to a blind bat, eh?

   • 1983, Raymond Carver, 'Cathedral' (short story where a blind man visits a couple at their home):

     I shook my head. He couldn't see that, though. A wink is the same as a nod to a blind man.