have no nails left?

[coolfool_sin]

After having read Jeffrey Archer's The Prodigal Daughter, I find I can't grasp the actual meaning of the following phrases. I'd, therefore, appreciate it if you'd be kind enough to give a hand.

1. '… Let's be thankful that ninety-nine per cent of the letters are from fair-minded people who wish to express their views honestly. Though I confess if I knew his address I'd be tempted to reply for the first time in my life,"Up Yours".' up yours=?

2. Janet was quick to point out that the legislature was sleeping on its feet again, waiting for the new session, and that perhaps it might be wise for Florentyna to spend more time in Chicago. sleep on one's feet=?

3. Carter and Reagan seemed to be living in Chicago, flying in and out of Illinois like two cuckoos in one clock. like two cuckoos in one clock=?

4. By this time, most people in suite 2400 of the Baron had no nails left; only Florentyna remained outwardly calm, although Edward noticed that her fist was clenched. have no nails left=?

Thanks a lot.

[JamesEverton]

"Up yours" is one of those insults that I haven't heard anyone say for some time. I don't know it's derivation but it implies something like "F*** you"

If you're asleep on your feet you might have the semblance of being awake whilst really being unresponsive. It suggests an organisation that misses opportunities through not being aware.

Cuckoos shoot out of cuckoo clocks to mark the hour. This is just a similie to try to evoke frantic movement in and out.

People might have no (finger) nails because they have been biting them, which suggests a period of nervousness and tension.

[LeMarchand]

1) As in "shove it up your bottom". A bit less offensive than the "F" word followed by "you".

2) To be so tired that one falls asleep standing up. The person (or in this case, the legislature) is still trying to carry on, but is finding it very hard as the process has dragged on for such a length of time.

3) Not heard of this one, but it sounds as if he means that the two characters are based in Chicago (the clock) but regularly flying in and out of the state on business (Chicago is in Illinois). (Had Archer been watching "The Sweeney" when he wrote this?)

4) Were incredibly tense - from the idea of biting one's nails when nervous/tense, in this case to the extent that the nails have been entirely consumed. (Figuratively, obviously!)

[chakka35]

Regarding No. 2, Archer, a poor writer, obviously meant 'asleep on its feet'. To be sleeping on your feet is, I imagine, to curl up in bed with your feet under you.
In No. 3 he is conjuring up a clock with two cuckoos shooting back and forth from it instead of one.
I used to wonder whether Archer's stuff was ghost-written for him, but I now reckon that his style is clumsy enough for the blame to be entirely his.