Rhinoceros Eyes

Ian Paisley, the head of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist party, was recently quoted as growling in his trademark belligerent mood, “I have a fairly hard rhinoceros skin and I’ll not be skinned by the likes of you!”

This was in response to critics who, with his 82nd birthday coming up this April, have begun speculating on how long the First Minister will remain in power. He has declared his intention to stay until 2011.

Saying you have skin like the great Rhino is saying that simply means there isn’t a lot of activity or aggression that will get “under your skin” and make you aggravated. This makes the phrase especially used in political circles.