I love to find out the origins of words and phrases that we use all the time and never really consider strange. Books on the subject fly of the shelves these days and the BBC series Balderdash and Piffle where the public were invited to research on behalf of the OED was very popular.
One of my favourite sayings in this respect is 'Kick the bucket'. It gets used every single day but if you think about it it is a very odd saying.
It turns out that when animals were slaughtered they were hung from wooden frames called buckets (perhaps they still are). When their throats were cut, at the point of death they would kick out against the frame. They would 'kick the bucket'.
Most sayings come from the navy. For instance, if you were on board a ship and had nothing to do and the captain saw you he'd give you the job of tying up the loose bits of rope that were hanging dangerously about. You would, therefore, find yourself quite literally at a loose end.
I was just wondering if anyone else has any such words and sayings they would like to share or just ask about. I am also wondering how anyone could possibly twist this post into something offensive I said but I am sure it could be done. Come on people, try! (You know who you are.) ;)
Richard
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Words and Phrases
The one that always baffles me is "Bob's your uncle" and I've never heard a satisfactory explanation.
One theory is that it comes from an old slang saying "all is bob", meaning that everything is pleasant or satisfactory. Apparently there are
other old sayings long since fallen out of use containing "bob", mostly relating to robbery and gambling, but that doesn't really explain it properly to me. I'm still baffled as it doesn't explain the uncle bit
One theory is that it comes from an old slang saying "all is bob", meaning that everything is pleasant or satisfactory. Apparently there are
other old sayings long since fallen out of use containing "bob", mostly relating to robbery and gambling, but that doesn't really explain it properly to me. I'm still baffled as it doesn't explain the uncle bit
Sex God
Interesting topic - not sure I have any off the top of my head but will think about it.
But why the provocative bit at the end? Isn't that inducing what you are seeking to avoid?
On second thoughts I think this subject may have been done quite recently.
.
But why the provocative bit at the end? Isn't that inducing what you are seeking to avoid?
On second thoughts I think this subject may have been done quite recently.
.
I don't know about 'Bob's your uncle'. I'll see what I can find.
Another common saying I like is 'Round the bend'. Big houses were built at the end of straight drives so they could be seen from the road; mental homes were built at the end of curved drives so they could be hidden away. So when you went mad it was said that you 'went round the bend'.
Richard
Another common saying I like is 'Round the bend'. Big houses were built at the end of straight drives so they could be seen from the road; mental homes were built at the end of curved drives so they could be hidden away. So when you went mad it was said that you 'went round the bend'.
Richard
Quote by Screwtape
I don't know about 'Bob's your uncle'. I'll see what I can find.
Another common saying I like is 'Round the bend'. Big houses were built at the end of straight drives so they could be seen from the road; mental homes were built at the end of curved drives so they could be hidden away. So when you went mad it was said that you 'went round the bend'.
Richard
can I be a pedant and say that because there is no such thing as mental homes anymore, they should be in quotation marks or something?
I am just being annoying, cos I can.
splendid
Sex God
Not sure if it's correct, but here's one thoery on "Bob's your uncle", taken from " "
"Bob's your uncle" is a way of saying "you're all set" or "you've got it made." It's a catch phrase dating back to 1887, when British Prime Minister Robert Cecil (a.k.a. Lord Salisbury) decided to appoint a certain Arthur Balfour to the prestigious and sensitive post of Chief Secretary for Ireland. Not lost on the British public was the fact that Lord Salisbury just happened to be better known to Arthur Balfour as "Uncle Bob." In the resulting furor over what was seen as an act of blatant nepotism, "Bob's your uncle" became a popular sarcastic comment applied to any situation where the outcome was preordained by favoritism. As the scandal faded in public memory, the phrase lost its edge and became just a synonym for "no problem."
TJ
"Bob's your uncle" is a way of saying "you're all set" or "you've got it made." It's a catch phrase dating back to 1887, when British Prime Minister Robert Cecil (a.k.a. Lord Salisbury) decided to appoint a certain Arthur Balfour to the prestigious and sensitive post of Chief Secretary for Ireland. Not lost on the British public was the fact that Lord Salisbury just happened to be better known to Arthur Balfour as "Uncle Bob." In the resulting furor over what was seen as an act of blatant nepotism, "Bob's your uncle" became a popular sarcastic comment applied to any situation where the outcome was preordained by favoritism. As the scandal faded in public memory, the phrase lost its edge and became just a synonym for "no problem."
TJ
"It's raining cats and dogs"
The phrase is supposed to have originated in England in the 17th century when city streets were filthy and heavy rain would occasionally carry along dead animals.
Another thought was that the phrase comes from mythology. Witches, who often took the form of their familiars - cats, are supposed to have ridden the wind. Dogs and wolves were attendants to Odin, the god of storms and sailors associated them with rain.
Not a nice thought at all.. poor animals, but we're still using this phrase today.
The phrase is supposed to have originated in England in the 17th century when city streets were filthy and heavy rain would occasionally carry along dead animals.
Another thought was that the phrase comes from mythology. Witches, who often took the form of their familiars - cats, are supposed to have ridden the wind. Dogs and wolves were attendants to Odin, the god of storms and sailors associated them with rain.
Not a nice thought at all.. poor animals, but we're still using this phrase today.
Quote by splendid33
can I be a pedant and say that because there is no such thing as mental homes anymore, they should be in quotation marks or something?
I am just being annoying, cos I can.
splendid
No you cannot splendid, Richard wrote 'Mental homes were...'
That is, 'were' as in the past. And they were commonly known by that name. You are being PC and nothing more, shame on you.
We now have 'crap in the community' what an improvment!
EDIT:
before I get jumped on by the PC brigade, when I say 'crap' I mean 'crap care' not 'crap people'
Quote by splendid33
I don't know about 'Bob's your uncle'. I'll see what I can find.
Another common saying I like is 'Round the bend'. Big houses were built at the end of straight drives so they could be seen from the road; mental homes were built at the end of curved drives so they could be hidden away. So when you went mad it was said that you 'went round the bend'.
Richard
can I be a pedant and say that because there is no such thing as mental homes anymore, they should be in quotation marks or something?
I am just being annoying, cos I can.
splendid
Were they once metal homes? I thought they were asylums and ‘mental home’ was just a widely used term.
Quote by PoloLady
I don't know about 'Bob's your uncle'. I'll see what I can find.
Another common saying I like is 'Round the bend'. Big houses were built at the end of straight drives so they could be seen from the road; mental homes were built at the end of curved drives so they could be hidden away. So when you went mad it was said that you 'went round the bend'.
Richard
can I be a pedant and say that because there is no such thing as mental homes anymore, they should be in quotation marks or something?
I am just being annoying, cos I can.
splendid
Were they once metal homes? I thought they were asylums and ‘mental home’ was just a widely used term.
I think you are right Polo, there were asylums and institutions and "homes" for the mentally impaired but I think the term "mental home" was just a mick take word used by many.
Nowadays you would have to say "Residential homes for people with mental health needs" 'round the bend/corner'
Quote by PoloLady
I don't know about 'Bob's your uncle'. I'll see what I can find.
Another common saying I like is 'Round the bend'. Big houses were built at the end of straight drives so they could be seen from the road; mental homes were built at the end of curved drives so they could be hidden away. So when you went mad it was said that you 'went round the bend'.
Richard
can I be a pedant and say that because there is no such thing as mental homes anymore, they should be in quotation marks or something?
I am just being annoying, cos I can.
splendid
Were they once mental homes? I thought they were asylums and ‘mental home’ was just a widely used term.
damn... I sit corrected.
feck
hey ho.. back to work.
Quote by Liaisons
can I be a pedant and say that because there is no such thing as mental homes anymore, they should be in quotation marks or something?
I am just being annoying, cos I can.
splendid
No you cannot splendid, Richard wrote 'Mental homes were...'
That is, 'were' as in the past. And they were commonly known by that name. You are being PC and nothing more, shame on you.
We now have 'crap in the community' what an improvment!
EDIT:
before I get jumped on by the PC brigade, when I say 'crap' I mean 'crap care' not 'crap people'
I can't be PC either ??? oh gosh.. what is the forum coming to.
I can't be a pedant
I can't be PC
I am going to find something else to do..............
shag anyone? (surely there is still room for harmless, meaningless flirting with absolutely no intention of actually meeting and having sex)
I've been told many, many cases where phrases come from a nautical background- but can hardly remember any (too much rum!)
My favourite is "Square Meal" originating from the fact that ships plates were square so they could be stacked on their side & not roll around.
My favourite is "Square Meal" originating from the fact that ships plates were square so they could be stacked on their side & not roll around.
My brother once had to spend a couple of weeks in the local loony bin at Middlewood a few years ago.
Does that count ?
Does that count ?
Splenid, don't forget this is a Screwtape thread, there is a certain tradition to maintain :grin:
Quote by splendid33
can I be a pedant and say that because there is no such thing as mental homes anymore, they should be in quotation marks or something?
I am just being annoying, cos I can.
splendid
No you cannot splendid, Richard wrote 'Mental homes were...'
That is, 'were' as in the past. And they were commonly known by that name. You are being PC and nothing more, shame on you.
We now have 'crap in the community' what an improvment!
EDIT:
before I get jumped on by the PC brigade, when I say 'crap' I mean 'crap care' not 'crap people'
I can't be PC either ??? oh gosh.. what is the forum coming to.
I can't be a pedant
I can't be PC
I am going to find something else to do..............
shag anyone? (surely there is still room for harmless, meaningless flirting with absolutely no intention of actually meeting and having sex)
You could eat some chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yay! :bounce:
Quote by dambuster
My brother once had to spend a couple of weeks in the local loony bin at Middlewood a few years ago.
Does that count ?
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrgh! you'll be shot by the PC gang for saying that one you bad boy!
Quote by winchwench
I've been told many, many cases where phrases come from a nautical background- but can hardly remember any (too much rum!)
My favourite is "Square Meal" originating from the fact that ships plates were square so they could be stacked on their side & not roll around.
You are very correct Winch.. check out this link (if you want to of course!
)I found today the origins of the term nit-picking (it's amazing the information gleamed from Brainiac)
Although taken from the profession of removing eggs and nits from peoples wigs it was not actually used as a term for petty criticism or fault finding until 1951.
Fascinating stuff ........
anyone started to itch yet ........
Although taken from the profession of removing eggs and nits from peoples wigs it was not actually used as a term for petty criticism or fault finding until 1951.
Fascinating stuff ........
anyone started to itch yet ........
Sex God
Quote by Marya_Northeast
Where does "how's your father" come from?
As in "fancy a bit of how's your father?".
Please.
Hehe - sounds like a conversation interrupted by his/her mother walking in!
(Notice the PC gender balance!
)Come to think of it the expression should be 'How's yer parent?' shouldn't it?........ I'll get me coat
.
Quote by westerross
Where does "how's your father" come from?
As in "fancy a bit of how's your father?".
Please.
Hehe - sounds like a conversation interrupted by his/her mother walking in!
(Notice the PC gender balance!
)Come to think of it the expression should be 'How's yer parent?' shouldn't it?........ I'll get me coat
.
This is eomthething a friend and I talked about years ago and we came to the same conclusion - that a conversation was interrupted. How could it have become such a common phrase though?
Sex God
Two other phrases that spring to mind that are from a nautical origin and are not included in that link:
"Room to swing a cat" has nothing to do with moggies (which always sounded rather cruel) but refers to the 'cat o'nine tails' that was used to dispense flogging on board ship (and for entertainment at bluexxx's parties and elsewehre). The floggings were always administered up on deck in the open where the whole crew could be assembled to watch (as a warning) and also because below decks conditions were very cramped and there was 'no room to swing a cat'.
This brings me to the other phrase. The cat (i.e. the flail) was kept in a leather bag filled with brine to keep it supple and was only brought out when a flogging was to be dispensed. Hence, if you have just done something that is going to cause a lot of trouble you are said to have 'let the cat out of the bag'.
Will
"Room to swing a cat" has nothing to do with moggies (which always sounded rather cruel) but refers to the 'cat o'nine tails' that was used to dispense flogging on board ship (and for entertainment at bluexxx's parties and elsewehre). The floggings were always administered up on deck in the open where the whole crew could be assembled to watch (as a warning) and also because below decks conditions were very cramped and there was 'no room to swing a cat'.
This brings me to the other phrase. The cat (i.e. the flail) was kept in a leather bag filled with brine to keep it supple and was only brought out when a flogging was to be dispensed. Hence, if you have just done something that is going to cause a lot of trouble you are said to have 'let the cat out of the bag'.
Will
I've been told many, many cases where phrases come from a nautical background- but can hardly remember any (too much rum!)
Here are some nautical sayings from the top of my head:
When it was cold the iron cannonballs would contract more than the brass triangles they were kept in and would fall out. These triangles were called 'monkeys' after the little boys who carried them around. So when it is cold we say it is cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.
When a ship passed another it would often unfurl all its flags and would 'pass with flying colours'.
Admiral Nelson's body was preserved for the voyage home in a barrel of brandy (or gin) and crewmen would walk by and take a sneaky swig from it. To this day, some say when they are taking a quick drink that they are 'tapping the admiral'.
The Horse Latitudes are near the equator and there is no wind so all you can do is wait for weeks until you drift through on the currents. Once the men had workd off their advanced it was tough to get any more work out of them. Trying to get them to work was like 'flogging a dead horse'.
The word posh is an acronym. It comes from the way rich people would have port-side cabins on the way out and starboard-side cabins on the way back. Port Out Starboard Home became the word posh.
Someone mentioned 'not enough room to swing a cat'. The book I read said it had nothing to do with the cat o' nine tails but everything to do with a fairground game where cats really were thrown in the air for the paying public to hit with an arrow. (That's what I read anyway.)
I can't remember anymore for now.
Richard
PS Possibly should not have said 'mental homes'. I thought that was what they were once called. They probably never were, though.
Ooo! I remember one more! It's a good 'n'.
On long sea voyages you would almost definitely do something wrong and end up flooged. So when it was your turn to do the flogging you would not want to be too vigorous as soon enough you'd be at the other end. So the guy being flogged would say 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.'
One more:
The barrels that held the food would be washed out and the slush which had some nutritional value sold to the locals. The money raised would be put together and used for whatever it might be needed for. It was a 'slush fund'.
Okay, that really is it. I must give some sort of impression of having a life.
Richard
On long sea voyages you would almost definitely do something wrong and end up flooged. So when it was your turn to do the flogging you would not want to be too vigorous as soon enough you'd be at the other end. So the guy being flogged would say 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.'
One more:
The barrels that held the food would be washed out and the slush which had some nutritional value sold to the locals. The money raised would be put together and used for whatever it might be needed for. It was a 'slush fund'.
Okay, that really is it. I must give some sort of impression of having a life.
Richard
How's your father?
From
"The origin of the expression 'how's your father' can be traced back to Victorian times. In those days any man with a daughter was so protective of her virtue that he would take extraordinary measures to safeguard it. Unmarried girls would be kept within the bosom of their family as much as possible, chaperoned on excursions, and on those occasions when they were let out of bounds for social events, their fathers would often accompany them discreetly by hiding underneath their voluminous skirts ready to pounce on any man who transgressed the bounds of propriety.
However, a father with more than one daughter couldn't be everywhere at once. Thus, a suitor having a discreet vis-a-vis with his beloved would cautiously ascertain her father's whereabouts by asking, 'And how is your father?' If her father was currently under her skirts, she would glance downwards and reply, 'My father is very well, thankyou, and as alert and vigorous as ever, and maintains his interest in rusty castrating implements.' Her beau would then say, 'I have always had the greatest respect for your father, and of course for you. Let us hold hands and think about the Queen for a while.' If, on the other hand, her father was elsewhere, she would reply, 'The mad old bastard is currently stationed between my sister Constance's thighs. Let us go into the garden and rut like stoats.'
Hence, 'How's your father' became a euphemism for you-know-what. I imagine it never caught on in France because Frenchmen didn't care who shagged their daughters as long as they could watch."
Richard
From
"The origin of the expression 'how's your father' can be traced back to Victorian times. In those days any man with a daughter was so protective of her virtue that he would take extraordinary measures to safeguard it. Unmarried girls would be kept within the bosom of their family as much as possible, chaperoned on excursions, and on those occasions when they were let out of bounds for social events, their fathers would often accompany them discreetly by hiding underneath their voluminous skirts ready to pounce on any man who transgressed the bounds of propriety.
However, a father with more than one daughter couldn't be everywhere at once. Thus, a suitor having a discreet vis-a-vis with his beloved would cautiously ascertain her father's whereabouts by asking, 'And how is your father?' If her father was currently under her skirts, she would glance downwards and reply, 'My father is very well, thankyou, and as alert and vigorous as ever, and maintains his interest in rusty castrating implements.' Her beau would then say, 'I have always had the greatest respect for your father, and of course for you. Let us hold hands and think about the Queen for a while.' If, on the other hand, her father was elsewhere, she would reply, 'The mad old bastard is currently stationed between my sister Constance's thighs. Let us go into the garden and rut like stoats.'
Hence, 'How's your father' became a euphemism for you-know-what. I imagine it never caught on in France because Frenchmen didn't care who shagged their daughters as long as they could watch."
Richard
“Keep it under your hat”
Archers always kept a spare bow sting under there hat to prevent it getting wet and thus stretching.
“Going of half cocked”
Muzzle loading firearms were primed with the lock at the “half cock” rather than “full cock” to prevent the weapon discharging in the loaders face, in other words going off before you were ready.
“Shot your bolt”
Longbows were/are very hard to learn to shoot taking many years of practice before the archer is competent, but once mastered are very fast firing. Crossbows on the other hand, were easy to learn to shoot but very slow to reload. Once a crossbow man had fired his weapon he was defenceless until the complicated loading procedure had been completed again, so had literally “shot his bolt”
Other archery sayings include, point blank, high strung, straight as an arrow, bolt upright, bolt from the blue, wide of the mark
Archers always kept a spare bow sting under there hat to prevent it getting wet and thus stretching.
“Going of half cocked”
Muzzle loading firearms were primed with the lock at the “half cock” rather than “full cock” to prevent the weapon discharging in the loaders face, in other words going off before you were ready.
“Shot your bolt”
Longbows were/are very hard to learn to shoot taking many years of practice before the archer is competent, but once mastered are very fast firing. Crossbows on the other hand, were easy to learn to shoot but very slow to reload. Once a crossbow man had fired his weapon he was defenceless until the complicated loading procedure had been completed again, so had literally “shot his bolt”
Other archery sayings include, point blank, high strung, straight as an arrow, bolt upright, bolt from the blue, wide of the mark
Quote by Screwtape
How's your father?
From
"The origin of the expression 'how's your father' can be traced back to Victorian times. In those days any man with a daughter was so protective of her virtue that he would take extraordinary measures to safeguard it. Unmarried girls would be kept within the bosom of their family as much as possible, chaperoned on excursions, and on those occasions when they were let out of bounds for social events, their fathers would often accompany them discreetly by hiding underneath their voluminous skirts ready to pounce on any man who transgressed the bounds of propriety.
However, a father with more than one daughter couldn't be everywhere at once. Thus, a suitor having a discreet vis-a-vis with his beloved would cautiously ascertain her father's whereabouts by asking, 'And how is your father?' If her father was currently under her skirts, she would glance downwards and reply, 'My father is very well, thankyou, and as alert and vigorous as ever, and maintains his interest in rusty castrating implements.' Her beau would then say, 'I have always had the greatest respect for your father, and of course for you. Let us hold hands and think about the Queen for a while.' If, on the other hand, her father was elsewhere, she would reply, 'The mad old bastard is currently stationed between my sister Constance's thighs. Let us go into the garden and rut like stoats.'
Hence, 'How's your father' became a euphemism for you-know-what. I imagine it never caught on in France because Frenchmen didn't care who shagged their daughters as long as they could watch."
Richard
Thankyou!
So surprised you didn't pick on my awful, awful typo earlier!
Or maybe you chose to ignore it in favour of a shag? Quote by Screwtape
I've been told many, many cases where phrases come from a nautical background- but can hardly remember any (too much rum!)
Here are some nautical sayings from the top of my head:
When it was cold the iron cannonballswould contract more than the brass triangles they were kept in and would fall out. These triangles were called 'monkeys' after the little boys who carried them around. So when it is cold we say it is cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.
When a ship passed another it would often unfurl all its flags and would 'pass with flying colours'.
Admiral Nelson's body was preserved for the voyage home in a barrel of brandy (or gin) and crewmen would walk by and take a sneaky swig from it. To this day, some say when they are taking a quick drink that they are 'tapping the admiral'.
The Horse Latitudes are near the equator and there is no wind so all you can do is wait for weeks until you drift through on the currents. Once the men had workd off their advanced it was tough to get any more work out of them. Trying to get them to work was like 'flogging a dead horse'.
The word posh is an acronym. It comes from the way rich people would have port-side cabins on the way out and starboard-side cabins on the way back. Port Out Starboard Home became the word posh.
Someone mentioned 'not enough room to swing a cat'. The book I read said it had nothing to do with the cat o' nine tails but everything to do with a fairground game where cats really were thrown in the air for the paying public to hit with an arrow. (That's what I read anyway.)
I can't remember anymore for now.
Richard
PS Possibly should not have said 'mental homes'. I thought that was what they were once called. They probably never were, though.
TY Jaymar- that might restore some memories!
Screwy-
did I ever tell you I fired a ships cannon :bounce:
