Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 8, 2004 13:04:55 GMT
As I was reading posts this morning I noticed where Adey had said he did not want to go "half-cocked." I knew what he meant. I did not however, know where the saying orginated. The fact is that we use phrases and words everyday, that without experience, would make no sense at all. For example - 'watch your P's and Q's'. I had always assumed that it meant to be careful which way you wrote the two letters. However, I just read that in Old English Pubs, when things got rowdy, it would be shouted 'watch your pints and quarts' (of ale) Either way we know it as 'pay attention' to detail.
In this thread post an idiom and someone else must give it's origin. That person may then post another one.
"Half-cocked"........( and improperly romanced will not count ).......
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Post by Adey on Mar 9, 2004 2:05:00 GMT
As far as I recall, the saying "going off half cocked" related to early firearms - muskets etc, which needed to be hand cocked ie hammer pulled back, in order to fire. Such was the (lack of) reliability of such early weapons, they were often likely to discharge half way through the cocking cycle, when the mechanism failed to engage properly. Not a good thing obviously..
There you go "Going off half cocked" - setting off without proper preperation, risking failure.
Someone tell me about
" Daft as a Brush "
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Post by Al Truest on Mar 9, 2004 3:11:50 GMT
Tell me about "Three sheets to the wind." " Daft as a brush" is one I've never ever heard. However 'Three sheets to the wind' refers to the three sheets, that when allowed to flap in the wind, will cause a boat to swerve to and fro' like a drunken sailor"This has a more innocuous foundation than you might think: 'Balls to the wall'....
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Post by Adey on Mar 9, 2004 3:19:58 GMT
" Daft as a brush" is one I've never ever heard. It must be a Brit thing, you USA types were obviously far too enlightened than to cram your beloved infants up chimneys. Or perhaps you didn't have chimneys...
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Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 9, 2004 18:22:27 GMT
Balls to the wall refers to the round (balls) atop the levers of the throttle and wing flap controls of an aircraft. If the throttle was wide open, these would be "Balls to the wall". So no testicular reference here at all. Sleep tight............
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Post by strabley on Mar 10, 2004 9:08:33 GMT
It must be a Brit thing, you USA types were obviously far too enlightened than to cram your beloved infants up chimneys. Or perhaps you didn't have chimneys... Only the well to do Americans have chimneys anymore, and back in the day more Americans did--my Grandma (who passed a year ago) had 2 chimneys! But we never shoved kids down them. There was a "Young Ones" bit about that that just CRACKED ME UP!
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Post by strabley on Mar 11, 2004 22:19:41 GMT
Balls to the wall refers to the round (balls) atop the levers of the throttle and wing flap controls of an aircraft. If the throttle was wide open, these would be "Balls to the wall". So no testicular reference here at all. Sleep tight............
Oh CRAP! I used to know this one, but now I can't recall it...
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Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 12, 2004 13:23:52 GMT
Before springs were used old bed frames used ropes pulled tightly together between the frames to support themattress. If the rope became loose, the mattress would sag. Tightening the ropes ensured a good night sleep. Correct. Since you didn't chose another one --- Where does this (American"} saying originate? - The real 'McCoy'......
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Post by Al Truest on Mar 15, 2004 3:32:07 GMT
Where does this (American"} saying originate? - The real 'McCoy'...... I found several versions to explain the origin of this saying. Here's my favorite:
Bill McCoy, an American rumrunner during prohibition supplied 'real rum' instead of the inferior bootlegged' variety. People who wanted quality insisted on 'the real McCoy'Next, what is the origin of "The whole nine yards?....
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Post by Adey on Mar 15, 2004 3:58:05 GMT
The whole nine yards
Does this refer to the traditional length of the train on a wedding dress?
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Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 15, 2004 13:19:40 GMT
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Post by Al Truest on Mar 22, 2004 14:27:30 GMT
Here's an easy one "Bite the Bullet" I believe this comes from surgery in the field (war etc) where no painkillers are available. Patients would actually 'take their medicine' by biting down on a bullet while being cut. Used now to mean 'get it over with.'Flying by the seat of my pants.....
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Post by Adey on Mar 25, 2004 21:06:30 GMT
Unless I'm very much mistaken, Paul had a post on this thread - an explanation of the phrase " Daft as a Brush ". I've just noticed it's absence whilst reviewing the thread. Did you delete this Paul? Or have you been censored..
Actually, as I look again, it seems that 2 of his posts have gone.
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Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 25, 2004 21:24:07 GMT
Shock and dismay. I already admitted my indiscretion. Lori is re-instating post totals at my behest. It's only as big a deal as you make it.
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Post by Adey on Mar 25, 2004 21:40:56 GMT
Oh right. I thought you'd just been dicking with his post numbers, not deleting his posts!
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