Why Is Dana...

Trilby · 02-02-2012, 10:48 AM

going around saying "God's teeth" all of a sudden?

Is this a new meme I've missed?

SamIam · 02-02-2012, 10:53 AM

I believe it is a British expression that has been around for a while. Perhaps Monster or Dana herself will enlighten us.

classicman · 02-02-2012, 10:58 AM

"God's Teeth!" This would be used anywhere you might say "Geez!"
(or you favorite similar blasphemy or 4 letter version)

Trilby · 02-02-2012, 11:02 AM

but WTF is it about God's teeth, exactly?!

"By God's blood!" I get.

god's teeth?

Not so much.

Why not say, "God's gallbladder!" or similar?

Now, come ON, Dana. What's with the fixation on divine dentures?

Scriveyn · 02-02-2012, 11:07 AM

Perhaps pronouncing "Geez!" with a lithp

Beest · 02-02-2012, 11:14 AM

It's an old expression, my beting is she's watching something Victoriany, Sherlock maybe ?

DanaC · 02-02-2012, 11:26 AM

It's one that floats into my head now and then. My old English teacher at school used to use it. And my dad from time to time.

Can't recall now it's derivation. I'm surprised you've suddenly noticed. It's one I've used on and off for a long time.

Clodfobble · 02-02-2012, 11:44 AM

Shakespeare used it. They say (sorry, had the cite but closed the window too fast) that there used to be other body parts you could swear by too that just fell out of favor. Like "gadzooks" is supposedly a shortening of "God's hooks," i.e. his hands. Also, I thought it was interesting that "bloody" is said to be a bastardization of "by-your-lady," i.e. Virgin Mary.

Lola Bunny · 02-02-2012, 12:04 PM

I was a bit curious about the expression too. It's the first time I heard it.

Lamplighter · 02-02-2012, 12:12 PM

This link gives several (sort of academic) derivations.

But given my "through the looking glass" mentality,
I've assumed the association has to do with a woman's period.
Likewise, the words and phrases such as "ruddy" and "ragged on".

Thus:

Quote:

"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone,
"it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less."

"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."

"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master - - that's all."

(Through the Looking Glass, Chapter 6)

.

jimhelm · 02-02-2012, 12:13 PM

Sundae · 02-02-2012, 12:21 PM

I've been to the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Buddha's tooth is supposedly preserved there. Does that count?

I thought St Catherine of Siena's head was better value, as I actually got to see that.

DanaC · 02-02-2012, 02:27 PM

God's Teeth,
God's Wounds (z'ounds)
Gadzooks (God's hooks)

And aye, yes, Bloody = By your Lady

Goodbye = God be with you.

Also Streuth = God's truth.

God's teeth still gets used. Might be more of a northern thing though. Mostly it's been replaced by 'Christ on a bike' I think.

For a bunch of Godless heathens we do have rather a God-filled language.

monster · 02-02-2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

This link gives several (sort of academic) derivations.

But given my "through the looking glass" mentality,
I've assumed the association has to do with a woman's period.
Likewise, the words and phrases such as "ruddy" and "ragged on".

Thus:

.

As opposed to a man's period?

I thought it was "By Our Lady" rather than your lady, but the term definitely predates the modernistic view that anything regarding menses can be mentioned in public -as a swear word or not. Ditto the other two. Of course if that's really what you want to believe, no-one can stop you... enjoy your mental images........ (ew)

Lamplighter · 02-02-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

As opposed to a man's period?

I thought it was "By Our Lady" rather than your lady,
but the term definitely predates the modernistic view that anything regarding menses
can be mentioned in public -as a swear word or not.
Ditto the other two. Of course if that's really what you want to believe,
no-one can stop you... enjoy your mental images........ (ew)

I personally do not (ever, or almost never) actually use such words
in general conversation because of such connotations for me.
But they do seem to be prevalent in British films.

I'm willing to listen...

How would a Brit use the words "ruddy" or "ragged on"
... without a distant association to menses ?
Or alternatively
... use them with an association to "by our lady" ?

02-02-2012, 10:48 AM	#1
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Why Is Dana... going around saying "God's teeth" all of a sudden? Is this a new meme I've missed? __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

02-02-2012, 10:58 AM	#3
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	"God's Teeth!" This would be used anywhere you might say "Geez!" (or you favorite similar blasphemy or 4 letter version) __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

02-02-2012, 11:02 AM	#4
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	but WTF is it about God's teeth, exactly?! "By God's blood!" I get. god's teeth? Not so much. Why not say, "God's gallbladder!" or similar? Now, come ON, Dana. What's with the fixation on divine dentures? __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

02-02-2012, 11:44 AM	#8
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Shakespeare used it. They say (sorry, had the cite but closed the window too fast) that there used to be other body parts you could swear by too that just fell out of favor. Like "gadzooks" is supposedly a shortening of "God's hooks," i.e. his hands. Also, I thought it was interesting that "bloody" is said to be a bastardization of "by-your-lady," i.e. Virgin Mary. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

02-02-2012, 12:13 PM	#11
jimhelm a beautiful fool Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: 39.939705 Posts: 4,504	__________________ There's a Shadow just behind me. Shrouding every step I take. Making every promise empty, pointing every finger at me. _tool Last edited by jimhelm; 02-02-2012 at 12:25 PM.

02-02-2012, 10:53 AM	#2
SamIam Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Not here Posts: 2,655	I believe it is a British expression that has been around for a while. Perhaps Monster or Dana herself will enlighten us.

02-02-2012, 11:07 AM	#5
Scriveyn amnesic-confabulatory opsimath Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Between my ears Posts: 739	Perhaps pronouncing "Geez!" with a lithp

02-02-2012, 11:14 AM	#6
Beest Adapt and Survive Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, Mi Posts: 957	It's an old expression, my beting is she's watching something Victoriany, Sherlock maybe ?

02-02-2012, 12:04 PM	#9
Lola Bunny Junior Master Dwellar Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 2,728	I was a bit curious about the expression too. It's the first time I heard it.

02-02-2012, 12:21 PM	#12
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I've been to the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Buddha's tooth is supposedly preserved there. Does that count? I thought St Catherine of Siena's head was better value, as I actually got to see that.

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