unaware of impending calamity (Refers to a duck in the middle of the seventh month, when ducks are usually offered to the spirits of the dead, yet do not know enough to fear death. — Similar to a turkey just before Thanksgiving), used to scold someone who is without fear in spite of impending calamity (Lit. On fifteenth of the seventh lunar month, the duck does not know it is soon be slaughtered to be eaten during the feast.)
make an attempt or ask a favor with very small hope of success but may just as well make the attempt (like a duck's bill dabbling about in the air while eating)
flat footed clumsily gaited person (Lit. sole of a duck's foot), a man whose foot is very broad and flat at the instep instead of having the usual concave)