Colloquialisms and their origins

[Caster]

Do you ever wonder where some of the things we say come from? I got the distinct privilege of hearing hours of conversation amongst a diverse group of people today.....all day...alllll dayyy.

Some of the things we say, if taken literally would land us in the Parthenon Pavilion under heavy sedation. [After the day I've had, that sounds really good actually!]

For example:

It's hotter than 2 rats in a wool sock.

Are we assuming here or was there an actual study on the thermodynamics of wool and it's affects on ambient temperatures during the mating action of rats?

One very big question I have, why would ANYONE pee in a boot? Was there nowhere else left to go?

The list goes on and on, but on a more serious note, one I heard in particular. It's better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Really? Have we thought this one through? Yes I would rather take my chances convincing a jury of my peers I'm innocent that a jury of ONE on judgment day, but have you considered the actual imprisonment? Have you watched John Seigenthaler "Lock Up" ?

People really are lunatics. All of them. The ones we label as lunatics just don't hide it.

Edited August 11, 2012 by Caster

[Guest FIST]

I was un aware of the term "Colloquialisms"

I do enjoy some of them though, got something to search for tonight.

[Caster]

I was un aware of the term "Colloquialisms"

If you use big words, people think you're smarter than you really are. Take me for example.

[TMF]

"Can't swing a dead cat without..." That was one my Grandma used to say all the time and my favorite one I've ever heard.

[Oh Shoot]

"Can't swing a dead cat without..." That was one my Grandma used to say all the time and my favorite one I've ever heard.

Never heard it was a dead one, myself, just "not room to swing a cat in here".

- OS

[plank white]

hahaha I lmao every time I here these things

[Wingshooter]

"Well, deed in double.... " I hear rhis sometimes, but it still confuses me.

"She is such a catbird!"

"That's slicker than snot" ..... Classic!

[TMF]

Never heard it was a dead one, myself, just "not room to swing a cat in here".

- OS

It was reference to a high density of something... as in "In Clarksville I can't swing a dead cat without hitting an Asian Massage Parlor or cash advance place."

I was so used to hearing it when I was younger that it didn't seem odd to me nor had I visualized the absurdity of swinging a deat cat by its tail, until a coworker heard me use that phrase and brought attention to it. Then I was like, "huh, I guess I never thought about it."

[Guest ThePunisher]

I'd rather peck sh#t with the chickens than live under this commie POTUS.

Edited August 11, 2012 by ThePunisher

[leroy]

Y'all shouldnt have started this. My ole buddy used to use this one all the time: "...So dammed ugly she (...or he????...) would scare a haint up a thorn bush on a foggy nite!!!....". My sainted moms had a vaariation on the "cat thing" with this one: "...Not room enough to cuss a cat without gettin hair in your mouth!!...".

leroy

[Lumber_Jack]

In reference to making something out of nothing....."you can't take chicken s#it and make chicken salad"

[Gun Smith]

The all time most graphic, puzzling, how in the world did they come up with that was said about a truck, "it's so weak that it could not pull a sick whore off a piss pot!" I've only heard it once in my life, but I don't guess I will ever forget it.

Something a little more forum related, the phrase "gave it the whole nine yards" is a reference to a machine gun belt that is nine yards long.

Edited August 11, 2012 by Gun Smith

[Glenn]

What drives me crazy are people that take a colloquialism that initially made sense and make it senseless, such as "a tough row to hoe" becomes a "a tough road to hoe" Anyone that has ever used a hoe can understand the former but none can understand the latter.

Glenn

[Caster]

My father in law likes to make fun of people who can't back a trailer into the drive. He will say "They couldn't drive a greasy peg up a billy goat's $%%" I don't WANT to know the origins of that one!

[RED333]

"Colder than a wells diggers a@#" rain in the winter

"Colder than a witches ti##$" winter blowing wind

"Nervous as a Wh*^e in church"

Just a few I have used.

[Spots]

Sweating like a whore in church.

Nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

Horny as a three p***ered billy goat.

Tighter than a Nuns corset

[mikegideon]

Shining like a diamond in a goat's ass.

[Caster]

Much the truth this morning: I been busier than a cat coverin' up

[personDJ]

I'm cracking a smile.........

[Caster]

I've already said more than my share of profanity, I can see this one getting out of hand guys so let's keep it together, cool?

[strickj]

"that sucks" - Shouldn't this be used for describing a good thing?

My favorite has to be "I didn't know whether to #### or go blind, so I closed one eye and farted."

[Caster]

"that sucks" - Shouldn't this be used for describing a good thing?

Yeah that delves off into the territory of "FU" Never understood someone saying "FU" in a negative connotation. "FU" Well, no thanks, but I certainly appreciate the offer.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Y'all shouldnt have started this. My ole buddy used to use this one all the time: "...So dammed ugly she (...or he????...) would scare a haint up a thorn bush on a foggy nite!!!....". My sainted moms had a vaariation on the "cat thing" with this one: "...Not room enough to cuss a cat without gettin hair in your mouth!!...".

There must be lots of "ugly enough to..." around, but I have trouble remembering em. One that sticks in mind good enough to use on occasion is "Ugly enough to make a freight train take a dirt road." Usually used for inanimate objects rather than the fairer sex, but also a useful compliment for newborn babies. [joke]

I like the swing a dead cat line.

Another classic (of which there are many variations I can't recall)-- "Busier than a one legged man in a butt-kicking contest". "Up to his ass in alligators"

"The dog don't like the dog food." is good.

Edited August 11, 2012 by Lester Weevils

[Gun Smith]

About as welcomed as a cold nosed dog in a nudist camp.

[pcrc11]

What I really want to know is if you had to spell check the word colloquialisms