and who learned English later in life
does it make any difference? my 17-year-old cousin, whom I teach english, always asks why english speakers have so strange sayings. the answer probably is that each nation (society?) has developed certain way of conceptualising world and the sayings often reflect the way the perceive it.
personally, I often wonder if "not my cup of tea" has something to do with the tradition of drinking tea:) I never use this one, although I know the meaning because it seems strange to me