Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Everyone seems to begin their sentences with the word, "So.." these days specially on Radio when answering questions from the interview. Madness! But to answer to the OP, "Buck yer ideas up" / "Buck yerself up". Said by my grandmother who had no sensitivity whatsoever!

All fur coat and no knickers was another of old aunt's sayings. Also was informed when young, that respectable girls/women did not wear patent shoes as their underwear could be reflected in the shine of the shoe!!!


As far as I am aware, none of the family were from 'the north' and going back to my great grandparents - they lived in ED all their lives (Pellatt/Landells Road)

Parking 'who's' for now, it's the rest of the saying. At a guess, it comes from observing animals grazing in a field: however big it is, they'll strain to reach the grass outside the fence once they've had the best of what's inside the field. We're not satisfied for long with what we've got.

SpringTime Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> In any food outlet etc. the patronising and vile

> instruction:

>

> "Enjoy."

>

> No, dimwit. It is I who decides whether it's

> enjoyable AFTER I have tried it or finished.


Just a tiny bit over the top? It's just short for "hope you enjoy your meal", it's not an instruction but an expression of goodwill; if I say enjoy your weekend, enjoy your trip etc I'm not giving you an instruction, I'm just expressing a hope that you will enjoy it. There's enough rudeness about without going looking for it in inoffensive good-natured pleasantries, life's too short.

Blah Blah Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Pot calling the kettle black. What if the pot is

> purple, or silver, or copper, or any number of

> colours that pots seem to be.



It would be more fun actually finding our the derivation. I expect for example this is one about cooking on open fires, both implements would be black with soot. "you think I have a problem, take a look at yourself". Enriches our language. I come out with stuff at times and people look at me blankly - so please do continue using these phrases.


If you want to go into stupid expressions you can mine a deeper vein across the pond


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14201796


I can see more clearly, "clearer"

It is more cheap "cheaper"

It is less fast "slower"


You've given me an inch, so I have taken a mile


And truly there is nowt as queer as East Dulwich folk

Actually a lot of expressions which on the face of it sound stupid have interesting origins, but because times have changed they no longer make sense to us.


We know the intended meaning, but not the underlying meaning.


Like pots and kettles - these days we rarely boil kettles or cook food on an open fire, yet we still know the meaning of the saying.


Letting the cat out of the bag is another one.


Pigs (presumably small ones) used to be sold in markets in sacks/bags, and unscrupulous sales people replaced the pigs with cats.


If you were wise to this, you opened the bag at the point of sale to check that you were in fact getting a pig and not a cat.


Hence, letting the cat out of the bag.

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------


> Pigs (presumably small ones) used to be sold in

> markets in sacks/bags, and unscrupulous sales

> people replaced the pigs with cats.

>

> If you were wise to this, you opened the bag at

> the point of sale to check that you were in fact

> getting a pig and not a cat.

>

> Hence, letting the cat out of the bag.


Also "don't buy a pig in a poke" - poke being a small bag (derived from French poque). Always been slightly confused by these expressions, simply because how much of a chump would one have to be to hand over the cash on the seller's assurance that there was a piglet in the bag without having a gander first?

rendelharris Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

Always

> been slightly confused by these expressions,

> simply because how much of a chump would one have

> to be to hand over the cash on the seller's

> assurance that there was a piglet in the bag

> without having a gander first?



I'm sure there were as many chumps in those days as there are these days, only these days they give out their bank details on the phone to all and sundry claiming to be their bank, or send money to complete strangers who email them out of the blue with ridiculous stories ......

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • The solicitor is also the Executor. Big mistake, but my Aunt was very old, and this was the Covid years and shortly after so impossible to intervene and get a couple of close relatives to do this.  She had no children so this is the nephews and nieces. He is a single practitioner, and most at his age would have long since retired - there is a question over his competence Two letters have already gone essentially complaining - batted off and 'amusingly' one put the blame on us. There are five on our side, all speaking to each other, and ideally would work as a single point of contact.  But he has said that this is not allowed - we've all given approval to act on each others behalf. There are five on her late husband's side, who have not engaged with us despite the suggestion to work as a team, There is one other, who get's the lion's share, the typicical 'friend', but we are long since challenging the will. I would like to put another complaint together that he has not used modern collective communication (I expect that he is incapable) which had seriously delayed the execution of the will.   I know many in their 80s very adept with smart phones so that is not an ageist comment. The house has deteriorated very badly, with cold, damp and a serious leak.  PM me if you want to see the dreadful condition that it is now in. I would also question why if the five of us are happy to work together why all of us need to confirm in writing.             The house was lived in until Feb 23, and has been allowed to get like this.
    • Isn’t a five yearly electricity safety certificate one of the things the landlord must give for a legal tenancy?
    • Very sorry to hear this, but surely the landlord is responsible for fixing the electrics?  Surely they must be insured for things like this? I hope you get it all sorted out quickly.
    • The Pie House Co-op Deptford Emergency Crisis - Needs YOUR Help. This not-for-profit, worker-run, wheelchair accessible music and arts venue at 213-214 Edward Place SE8 5HD THE CRISIS: From Liv, Grace & Sonia, On Friday 31st October, there was a flash flood in Deptford, and we found ourselves with water pouring in through the lighting fixtures, damaging our electrics and sound system. We have been forced to close for one of the busiest weekends of the year, losing thousands of pounds in income, and are now having to fight our landlords for support with the leak. We are asking all our allies for support as we try and reignite the crowdfunder to reflect the new expensive work that needs to take place, and the gear we need to replace. Thank you in advance for your support so far, and your support going forward. If you have any ideas with getting media attention, or fundraising - please get in touch on [email protected] Even if you like myself have not previously visited this venue, supporting small not for profit venues are vital to the life blood of what 'commmunity' is all about. HOW YOU CAN HELP: 1) If you are an electrician and can offer to help for free or at cost, please email: [email protected] Your help would of course be acknowledged. 2) If you are a Sound Engineer and can offer to help for free or at cost, please email: [email protected] Your help would of course be acknowledged. 3) If you are a journalist or have connections with the local and wider media (Print, on line, TV, Radio, please email: [email protected] 4) 'Every Little Helps' even just £1 will make a difference, please support the crowd funder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/.../piehouse-workers-co-op... Via insta @piehouse.coop there is a video (see screenshots here) THANK YOU.
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...