Spring, 2012

[Brownlie]

Jumping through hoops isn't exactly right to say in this instance; but that's what I have in mind.

Whether or not I should change the chain length, I don't know yet. It seems to be a bastardisation, since when you go to the flea market or hardware store around here there are signs that say "Chain length" for sale. That's what happens when you live in a town where you buy stuff advertised on cardboard signs drawn with magic marker.

I feel you could better represent jumping through hoops by including actions that the jumping through hoops is referring to. However, you may want to keep an informal tone that includes the idiom of the place you're representing. As for the chain length/link I think adding the detail about the card board signs that say chain length or perhaps you could simply put "chain length" in quotes to show that that is what they called it. Take my advice for what you will I suppose.