Amelia Bedelia
Amelia Bedelia is a fictional housekeeper in a series of children's books, known for interpreting instructions with absurd literalness—when told to "draw the drapes," she sketches them; asked to "dress the chicken," she puts clothes on it.
The name has become shorthand for someone who takes figures of speech literally or misunderstands idiomatic expressions: I said "break a leg" and he looked at me like Amelia Bedelia.
- literalMeaning exactly what's said
- maidHousehold cleaning worker
- housekeeperDomestic cleaning professional
- apronWaist-tied protective garment
- household choresRoutine domestic maintenance tasks
chores · misunderstanding · figure of speech · idioms · baking · dusting · confused · hilarious · children · books · dress · ruffles · blonde · housework · cake · sponge cake · lemon meringue · instructions
- Fictional CharactersAlice, Oliver Twist, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Bilbo Baggins
- fantasy seriesHarry Potter, Game of Thrones, Narnia, Discworld, Earthsea
- Picture Book CharactersCurious George, Clifford, Cat in the Hat, Madeline, Max
- early readersearly readers, beginner readers, easy readers, first readers, beginning readers
Amelia BedeliaJeeves
Byword for butler
James Bond · Sherlock Holmes · sophisticate · street-smart · shrewd
Amelia BedeliaSherlock Holmes