Expressions you don't get [Archive]

chiliD

07-11-2005, 02:01 PM

I don't get:

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. :shrug:

ok, think about it...what you HAVE is worth more than what you'd have to TRY to catch.

I'll bet you dollars to donuts. :shrug:

Ok, I'll bet you a dozen donuts...if I lose, I give you 12 donuts...but, if I win, you pay me loads of money.

Going to hell in a handbag/handbasket. :shrug:

What the world is doing this instant!

skcin

07-11-2005, 02:08 PM

ok, think about it...what you HAVE is worth more than what you'd have to TRY to catch.

OK. But why birds & why a bush?

Ok, I'll bet you a dozen donuts...if I lose, I give you 12 donuts...but, if I win, you pay me loads of money.

That's just dumb.

What the world is doing this instant! I know what it means, but who came up with that one? Why not an apple cart? Why not a tool box? Why not a canoe?

wondergirl9847

07-11-2005, 02:09 PM

I think most expressions are from a long, long time ago.

skcin

07-11-2005, 02:16 PM

I think most expressions are from a long, long time ago.

True. But why do we still use them? :shrug: Some of them are just so silly now, yet we still say them. LOVE "heavens to Betsy" and "come hell or high water" :lol:

bikerchic

07-11-2005, 02:16 PM

I think most expressions are from a long, long time ago.
You are very right. I guess handbaskets were really big back in the day :nod:

dudden22

07-11-2005, 02:20 PM

I know what it means, but who came up with that one? Why not an apple cart? Why not a tool box? Why not a canoe?

:lol: :lol: I say we officially change it to canoe.

bikerchic

07-11-2005, 02:20 PM

One that my mother always used (god bless her soul) is one of my favourites, "People who live in glass house's shouldn't throw stones".

wondergirl9847

07-11-2005, 02:20 PM

True. But why do we still use them?

They are passed down like traditions, I suppose. My mom's mother says "Go fritz-a-putz." and my mom used to say it to me as a kid. It's non-sensical, but it was passed down and people learn stuff from their family and then they teach their kids.

dudden22

07-11-2005, 02:24 PM

One that my mother always used (god bless her soul) is one of my favourites, "People who live in glass house's shouldn't throw stones".

My mother used that all the time too.

I don't live in a glass house and I'll throw as many fricken stones as I want.

skcin

07-11-2005, 02:27 PM

I like the glass house one too.

Pot calling the kettle black I understand, but who has black pots & kettles anymore?

Fritz-a-putz? Is this like dilly-dallying?

DrummerDeanna

07-11-2005, 02:27 PM

Stupid is as stupid does.....

What the hell is that supposed to mean???

amber

07-11-2005, 02:40 PM

Christ on a Crutch. Why on a Crutch?

amber

07-11-2005, 02:41 PM

Stupid is as stupid does.....

What the hell is that supposed to mean???
It means if you do stupid stuff, you are stupid. :)

skcin

07-11-2005, 02:42 PM

Christ on a Crutch. Why on a Crutch?

I've never heard this. :shrug:

wondergirl9847

07-11-2005, 02:45 PM

Fritz-a-putz? Is this like dilly-dallying?

It's a very nice way of saying go efff yourself. LOL Well, sorta. Go away, get away from me...etc.

skcin

07-11-2005, 02:46 PM

It's a very nice way of saying go efff yourself. LOL Well, sorta. Go away, get away from me...etc.

That's it, I'm using that from now on. :nod:

amber

07-11-2005, 02:48 PM

I've never heard this. :shrug:
Whaaaat!!!!! :shocked: :eek: That's shocking. It was, like, my mom's favorite phrase. hmmm, maybe she made it up. No, no, I think it's real.
I like "quit lollygagging around!"

xdreamsunwindx

07-11-2005, 02:51 PM

Stupid is as stupid does.....

What the hell is that supposed to mean???

I don't know, but every time I hear that phrase, I think of Forrest Gump.

"STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES SIR!!"

skcin

07-11-2005, 02:53 PM

Whaaaat!!!!! :shocked: :eek: That's shocking. It was, like, my mom's favorite phrase. hmmm, maybe she made it up. No, no, I think it's real.
I like "quit lollygagging around!"

I am a fan of "lollygag" also. But mom's was "dillydally."

amber

07-11-2005, 03:02 PM

I am a fan of "lollygag" also. But mom's was "dillydally."
aside from lollygag, sometimes my mom said shillyshally. :lol:

ontheEdgeof17

07-11-2005, 03:06 PM

"Gag me with a spoon"

Lame. And why a spoon?

skcin

07-11-2005, 03:12 PM

A fork would be too painful? :shrug:

:lol:

chiliD

07-11-2005, 03:14 PM

OK. But why birds & why a bush?

I dunno...read up on Ben Franklin's biography...he coined the f-in phrase. :lol:

mylittledemon

07-11-2005, 04:11 PM

I once had an older gentlemen tell me he didnt "like the cut of my jib." I had never heard that before, & I actually laughed at him

amber

07-11-2005, 04:15 PM

I once had an older gentlemen tell me he didnt "like the cut of my jib." I had never heard that before, & I actually laughed at him
Ohhh, I love that phrase!!! I wish everyone used it. It's awesome.

littlecricket2

07-11-2005, 04:19 PM

I heard one of my favorite exclamations of all time from my ex-boyfriend, and I haven't heard it since (although I'd like to use it at least once before I die):

Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick!!! :eek: Love it.

Oh, also, I think a lot of expressions are what they are because they just sound good that way--people like alliteration, the way phrases fall together rhythmically, etc. So "hell in a handbasket" just sounds way better than "hell in a canoe." :shrug:

mylittledemon

07-11-2005, 04:24 PM

Here you are, sir:

[I]
Your jib looks pretty kindly to me, based upon all of those picture thread pictures. :)

Aww...shucks....thanks baby.

Yeah I later asked a friend what that meant...he said "I think it means he didnt like your demeanor, or the way you presented yourself." Ah whatever. Old people...

DrummerDeanna

07-11-2005, 04:27 PM

"he's the cat's pajamas"
or
"he's the bee's knees"

WTF!?! Bees don't have knees...and cats don't have pajamas :shrug:

littlecricket2

07-11-2005, 04:40 PM

"he's the cat's pajamas"
or
"he's the bee's knees"

WTF!?! Bees don't have knees...and cats don't have pajamas :shrug:

Ha-ha, well at least w/ bees knees, that would be the sound thing I was talking about earlier (and the fact that the idea of a bee's knees does sound really cute or something). Cat's pajamas I'm not sure about, but I have to admit that I use it.

What I don't like is when people say "I could care less," when they should really be saying, "I couldn't care less." That's just annoying.

This is totally off-topic now but I also can't stand when people make up words and don't even realize it. Supposably is the one I hear the most. The word is supposedly, dammit! Supposably is not a word!!! Yet I've heard even professors use it (not any who were teaching classes in my major, fortunately). Sorry, I should start a new thread if I want to gripe about this. :rolleyes:

DrummerDeanna

07-11-2005, 04:42 PM

Ha-ha, well at least w/ bees knees, that would be the sound thing I was talking about earlier (and the fact that the idea of a bee's knees does sound really cute or something). Cat's pajamas I'm not sure about, but I have to admit that I use it.

What I don't like is when people say "I could care less," when they should really be saying, "I couldn't care less." That's just annoying.

This is totally off-topic now but I also can't stand when people make up words and don't even realize it. Supposably is the one I hear the most. The word is supposedly, dammit! Supposably is not a word!!! Yet I've heard even professors use it (not any who were teaching classes in my major, fortunately). Sorry, I should start a new thread if I want to gripe about this. :rolleyes:

Well - I actually think "bees knees" is cute :p

And, I agree - "supposably" is ANNOYING!!! I HATE it when people say that :mad:

littlecricket2

07-11-2005, 04:50 PM

Well - I actually think "bees knees" is cute :p

And, I agree - "supposably" is ANNOYING!!! I HATE it when people say that :mad:

Haha, once I was in an argument with one of my supervisors at a gift store where I used to work, and she was being kind of catty and used the word "supposably." I looked at her and said, "supposably?" And she goes, "sorry, I sometimes use big words." :rolleyes:

DrummerDeanna

07-11-2005, 05:18 PM

Haha, once I was in an argument with one of my supervisors at a gift store where I used to work, and she was being kind of catty and used the word "supposably." I looked at her and said, "supposably?" And she goes, "sorry, I sometimes use big words." :rolleyes:

:laugh: :laugh: OMG - that's like a bad sitcom moment :laugh:

I used to have arguments like that with my ex-boyfriend -he was constantly butchering/making up words - he finally got mad at me for correcting him :p

littlecricket2

07-11-2005, 05:43 PM

:laugh: :laugh: OMG - that's like a bad sitcom moment :laugh:

I used to have arguments like that with my ex-boyfriend -he was constantly butchering/making up words - he finally got mad at me for correcting him :p

:laugh: Yeah, I didn't even have the heart to correct her after that. I figured it would just make things worse. I was just like, "all right, whatever," and changed the subject. :p

ryan8472

07-11-2005, 05:49 PM

What about "the cat's ass", as in "He thinks he is the cat's ass." ? :laugh: :eek:

littlecricket2

07-11-2005, 06:02 PM

What about "the cat's ass", as in "He thinks he is the cat's ass." ? :laugh: :eek:

Wow, I have honestly NEVER heard that one! :shocked:

wondergirl9847

07-11-2005, 06:10 PM

I have seen this A LOT on message boards, but people, the word is spelled:

sense...as in The Sixth Sense...not since, it's not The Sixth Since. :rolleyes:

littlecricket2

07-11-2005, 06:13 PM

I have seen this A LOT on message boards, but people, the word is spelled:

sense...as in The Sixth Sense...not since, it's not The Sixth Since. :rolleyes:

Well, it depends...since there are two different spellings for two different meanings, :p .

amber

07-11-2005, 06:15 PM

What about "the cat's ass", as in "He thinks he is the cat's ass." ? :laugh: :eek:
Ryan, phrases you just make up right now do not count. :rolleyes: :lol:

ryan8472

07-11-2005, 06:46 PM

Ryan, phrases you just make up right now do not count. :rolleyes: :lol:
:lol:

It must be a North-East thing then? I know a lot of people that have used that phrase. :shrug:

BTFLCHLD

07-11-2005, 06:53 PM

buttons on cupcakes :confused:

xdreamsunwindx

07-11-2005, 07:02 PM

"Gag me with a spoon"

Lame. And why a spoon?

I love that phrase, but nowhere near as much as "**** me gently with a chainsaw." <3333

DrummerDeanna

07-11-2005, 07:08 PM

buttons on cupcakes :confused:

Never heard that one - however that brings up another for me..

"Cute as a button" wtf? Where are these supposed cute buttons? I have never classified buttons as cute....so is this a compliment? Weird.

Livia

07-11-2005, 07:30 PM

I've never understood, "bite me." Why would you invite someone to hurt you, by biting you? Or is that the "rough" version of "suck my d*ck?" And if that's the case, then why do women say, "bite me?"

shackin'up

07-11-2005, 07:33 PM

Or is that the "rough" version of "suck my d*ck?" And if that's the case, then why do women say, "bite me?"

If that first assumption is true, don't get me started on the latter. :]

thanks, I was just going to hit the sack. :lol:

BTFLCHLD

07-11-2005, 07:36 PM

Never heard that one - however that brings up another for me..

"Cute as a button" wtf? Where are these supposed cute buttons? I have never classified buttons as cute....so is this a compliment? Weird.

it's all coming back to me now...when i said "so" when i was a child my mom's response was "sew buttons on cupcakes!" she eventally broke my "so" habit

mylittledemon

07-11-2005, 07:40 PM

Haha, once I was in an argument with one of my supervisors at a gift store where I used to work, and she was being kind of catty and used the word "supposably." I looked at her and said, "supposably?" And she goes, "sorry, I sometimes use big words." :rolleyes:

UGH...not only that, but she got the word wrong. it's SUPPOSEDLY...there is no "B"...that's not a word. I hear people say that all the time, and I like an ass, correct them. I never heard anyone say that until I moved to Florida.

littlecricket2

07-11-2005, 07:48 PM

UGH...not only that, but she got the word wrong. it's SUPPOSEDLY...there is no "B"...that's not a word. I hear people say that all the time, and I like an ass, correct them. I never heard anyone say that until I moved to Florida.

Exactly, that's what made the exchange so maddening! But she already viewed me as a know-it-all (probably) so if I had corrected her it would have made things worse between us (and most likely others in the store too, since I was in the minority going to college and only working at the store seasonally). So I let it slide.

mylittledemon

07-11-2005, 07:53 PM

Exactly, that's what made the exchange so maddening! But she already viewed me as a know-it-all (probably) so if I had corrected her it would have made things worse between us (and most likely others in the store too, since I was in the minority going to college and only working at the store seasonally). So I let it slide.

Damn! You missed out on some sweet, grammatical justice there Cricket. Ah well.

littlecricket2

07-11-2005, 08:15 PM

Damn! You missed out on some sweet, grammatical justice there Cricket. Ah well.

Heehee, that's ok, as you probably read in my PM, I'll settle for good old-fashioned poetic justice.

SteveMacD

07-11-2005, 08:55 PM

"You can't have your cake and eat it too." Then why in the **** have a cake! The whole point of a cake is to EAT it.

ryan8472

07-11-2005, 09:00 PM

I love that phrase, but nowhere near as much as "**** me gently with a chainsaw." <3333
That's my favorite as well. :nod: :laugh:

Oh 'Heathers', how I love thee. :o

mylittledemon

07-11-2005, 09:02 PM

I always hated it when my old man would say "one half dozen of another"...I understand what it means, but it sounds so damn confusing and people look puzzled when you say it.

catinthedark

07-11-2005, 10:47 PM

I always hated it when my old man would say "one half dozen of another"...I understand what it means, but it sounds so damn confusing and people look puzzled when you say it.

Well, they may be looking puzzled because the actual expression is "six of one - half dozen of the other." :laugh: It means it's all the same to me.

I hate when people say "to make a long story short..." and the story length doesn't get altered one sweet bit!! :laugh:

Also, in the funny saying category - my mum used to say "what a hoot!" all the time. And if it was really fun - it was a "hoot and a half!" I cringed when I was a teen, but now, I just love it. For a while, she also tried to stop swearing in front of us - so she was always saying "sugar!"

littlecricket2

07-11-2005, 10:56 PM

"You can't have your cake and eat it too." Then why in the **** have a cake! The whole point of a cake is to EAT it.

People make fun of this expression all the time, but for some reason, I guess I get it. It's true--why have a cake if you can't eat it? But once you eat it, it's gone forever. So I guess it's like saying you can't have two things at once if they're contradictory (having one necessitates not having the other). I dunno. I just never had a problem with it. :shrug: It also reminds me of when people think a cake looks so good that they don't want to eat it "oh, it's so pretty, I don't want to cut into it." But if you don't, you can't eat it, :rolleyes: . It's one or the other, but you can't have both.

littlecricket2

07-11-2005, 10:58 PM

Well, they may be looking puzzled because the actual expression is "six of one - half dozen of another." :laugh: It means it's all the same to me.

I hate when people say "to make a long story short..." and the story length doesn't get altered one sweet bit!! :laugh:

Also, in the funny saying category - my mum used to say "what a hoot!" all the time. And if it was really fun - it was a "hoot and a half!" I cringed when I was a teen, but now, I just love it. For a while, she also tried to stop swearing in front of us - so she was always saying "sugar!"

Heehee, this reminds me of a few times when I taught class and I said something was "a hoot and a holler." My students got a huge kick out of that; they had never heard it before and thought it was really funny. I also like the expression "a laugh and-a-half." :o

catinthedark

07-11-2005, 11:07 PM

I also like the expression "a laugh and-a-half." :o

Love that one, too. :nod: Along with "laughing my ass off." It's just so perfectly descriptive!

But another that annoys me: "In actual fact." Aren't all facts actual?

Brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department.

littlecricket2

07-11-2005, 11:09 PM

Love that one, too. :nod: Along with "laughing my ass off." It's just so perfectly descriptive!

But another that annoys me: "In actual fact." Aren't all facts actual?

Brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department.

Oh yeah, that's a good one: "in actual fact." LOL That reminds me of another one. When people preface what they're about to say with, "Well, to be honest..." as if otherwise the listener would assume they are lying?!

dissention

07-11-2005, 11:11 PM

That's my favorite as well. :nod: :laugh:

Oh 'Heathers', how I love thee. :o

Heathers deserves a :blob1: . Best movie ever.

PS: Love Janice in your sig. :laugh:

Miss Vicky

07-12-2005, 12:27 AM

Here's one I don't get: "I don't give a rat's ass."

I mean, I say it all the time, even have a tshirt that says it, but what the hell does it mean?

And why a rat? What is significant about a rat's ass that would make you not give it?

As for the "bird in the hand" saying, I totally get it. It refers to the hunting of birds, pheasant for example, that normally take cover in low lying bushes/shrubs (rather than in trees). So, the bird that you've actually killed is worth more (i.e. will be dinner) than the ones you only wish you'd caught. I suppose the word bird could just as easily have been rabbit or any other small game animal.

Oh and Heathers? Rules. Big Fun. :nod:

KarmaContestant

07-12-2005, 12:28 AM

Christ on a Crutch. Why on a Crutch?

Yeah, I want to know this, too. And why is he sometimes on a cringle? And WTF is a cringle?!?!

amber

07-12-2005, 12:31 AM

Here's one I don't get: "I don't give a rat's ass."

I mean, I say it all the time, even have a tshirt that says it, but what the hell does it mean?

And why a rat? What is significant about a rat's ass that would make you not give it?

It's because, ostensibly, that's the lowest thing you could ever give someone, and you won't even care that much.

Yeah, I want to know this, too. And why is he sometimes on a cringle? And WTF is a cringle?!?!
Cringle. Cringle. beats me. I think it's one of those alliteration things. Is that right? Someone mentioned it earlier, it just sounds good together, so people say it.

amber

07-12-2005, 12:56 AM

Another quick trip to good ol' dictionary.com gives the following definition:

cringle

n : fastener consisting of a metal ring for lining a small hole to permit the attachment of cords or lines [syn: eyelet, loop, grommet, grummet]

So...Christ being crucified somehow having to do with a cringle? I don't know...:shrug:
great. Thanks for ruining the mystery. :rolleyes: I had already made up a host of things that it meant. Sheesh. :lol: :xoxo:

skcin

07-12-2005, 08:31 AM

How about "your ass is grass." Huh?

OH, and to add to "supposubly" I hate when people say "excetera." The abbreviation is not exc., is it? Der.

DrummerDeanna

07-12-2005, 09:22 AM

How about "your ass is grass." Huh?

I was so going to post that one - I HATE HATE HATE that phrase...

Isn't the second half supposed to be, "and I"m the lawnmower!" ? Ugh - still a stupid phrase....

HomerMcvie

07-12-2005, 12:28 PM

Yeah, I want to know this, too. And why is he sometimes on a cringle? And WTF is a cringle?!?!
My favorite one that I've read here is:
Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick.
I can't WAIT to go out and use that one today!

SteveMacD

07-12-2005, 01:31 PM

My favorite one that I've read here is:
Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick.
I can't WAIT to go out and use that one today!
Or, my favorite from South Park: Sweet Jesus Monkey Balls.

irishgrl

07-12-2005, 02:08 PM

this is one I dont get, ostensibly because its used abroad:
"Bob's yer Uncle" Wazzup with THAT? :shrug:

I think going to Hell in a Handbasket means being carried merrily off to Hell...

littlecricket2

07-12-2005, 06:59 PM

How about "your ass is grass." Huh?

OH, and to add to "supposubly" I hate when people say "excetera." The abbreviation is not exc., is it? Der.

No, you're right, it's etc., short for "et cetera," which is Latin for "and the rest." But even I accidentally pronounce it with an ex for some reason. :shrug: Force of habit maybe?

mylittledemon

07-12-2005, 07:12 PM

what about 'sweet fancy Moses'? What the heck does THAT mean?

wondergirl9847

07-12-2005, 07:15 PM

this is one I dont get, ostensibly because its used abroad:
"Bob's yer Uncle" Wazzup with THAT? :shrug:

There is this live song I have of Keith Urban's and he says that at the beginning of the song, then goes "Actually, Bob's my dad." and it's SOOO cute the way he says it.

irishgrl

07-12-2005, 07:44 PM

No, you're right, it's etc., short for "et cetera," which is Latin for "and the rest." But even I accidentally pronounce it with an ex for some reason. :shrug: Force of habit maybe?

I love when Anna (the King and I) explains about et cetera "it means and so forth and all the rest" and the King then uses et cetera as often as he can!
et cetera, et cetera, et cetera...GREAT movie btw...

diamondsnake

07-13-2005, 01:21 AM

irishgrl

07-13-2005, 06:32 PM

My grandpa uses all these expressions. I think it is a riot! He says "Heavens to besty", he ends sentence with "something fierce". I just think it is really funny. If he likes something he says that it's "the cat's meow". Instead of saying "Oh My God!" he says "Glory Be!" It's really funny!

My grandmother was such a stickler about swearing, she considered words like "gosh" "gee whiz" "shucks" just as bad as the foul ones, she said that they were substitute swear words and therefore just as bad...but I think maybe I might just have heard one she couldnt have objected to: GLORY BE! :blob2: