American Phrases - Page 7

DanaC · 11-16-2006, 04:52 AM

What a brilliantly evocative phrase

xoxoxoBruce · 11-17-2006, 07:28 AM

Yes, a keeper for sure.

Shawnee123 · 11-17-2006, 09:10 AM

Urbane Guerrilla · 11-18-2006, 12:05 AM

And one from the pen of regional author H. Allen Smith, who wrote a lot about Texas, chili, and an orange tomcat named Rhubarb. Plenty of ecstatic kneading on a typewriter eventually delivered this line from Son of Rhubarb: "Your Honor, I move this testimony be stricken on the grounds that this witness could not find his crotch with both hands if his jockstrap were on fire."

"Nobody Knows More About Chili Than I Do"

hideouse · 11-18-2006, 10:37 AM

I believe that "bought the farm" stems from collecting one's life insurance policy so as to have enough money to pay off the mortgage,,,for one's survivors.

11-18-2006, 11:14 AM

rag = newspaper (more often used by older folks)

slower than pond water = a southernism used by my Dad

"trunk" you probably know, but when I first came across the British word "boot," I was perplexed for days.

xoxoxoBruce · 11-18-2006, 03:52 PM

Yes, boots and bonnets have nothing to do with automobiles.

lumberjim · 11-18-2006, 04:06 PM

does the carpet match the drapes?

cuffs and collars match?

busterb · 11-18-2006, 05:21 PM

Boy, if I could get Shine in this. Other day I heard him say something like, screwed up as bad as S*&ting in grandma's churn.
Mine, tangled up like a snake under a lawn mower

JayMcGee · 11-18-2006, 07:57 PM

I think my favourite is '90 percent of imports come from abroad'

Flint · 11-18-2006, 08:03 PM

Even better, when they charge for Shiner Bock as an import beer. It's brewed here in Texas.

In that case, I guess they think import means "not Budweiser, Miller, or Coors" . . . ???

JayMcGee · 11-18-2006, 08:10 PM

I guess that must fall in the 10% of imports that don't come from abroad.

ferret88 · 11-20-2006, 03:57 PM

BFE = really far away (like where you'll find a parking space at the mall this time of year)

barefoot serpent · 11-20-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferret88

BFE = really far away (like where you'll find a parking space at the mall this time of year)

and then you'll need to walk a fur piece.

Torrere · 11-20-2006, 04:47 PM

Does anyone know where "cleaned their clocks" comes from? I used it last weekend, and I've been trying to figure out where it came from ever since.

Not the sharpest knife in the drawer
Not the brightest apple in the tree

I think that "cats fucking dogs" is nowhere near as popular as "cats and dogs sleeping together" or "it's raining cats and dogs".

11-17-2006, 07:28 AM	#92
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Yes, a keeper for sure. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

11-17-2006, 09:10 AM	#93
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Here's one! __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

11-18-2006, 12:05 AM	#94
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	And one from the pen of regional author H. Allen Smith, who wrote a lot about Texas, chili, and an orange tomcat named Rhubarb. Plenty of ecstatic kneading on a typewriter eventually delivered this line from Son of Rhubarb: "Your Honor, I move this testimony be stricken on the grounds that this witness could not find his crotch with both hands if his jockstrap were on fire." "Nobody Knows More About Chili Than I Do" __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course.

11-18-2006, 10:37 AM	#95
hideouse Coronation Incarnate Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 91	"bought the farm" I believe that "bought the farm" stems from collecting one's life insurance policy so as to have enough money to pay off the mortgage,,,for one's survivors. __________________ If you need a straight line, I've usually got a few to spare.

11-18-2006, 03:52 PM	#97
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Yes, boots and bonnets have nothing to do with automobiles. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

11-16-2006, 04:52 AM	#91
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	What a brilliantly evocative phrase

11-18-2006, 11:14 AM	#96
marichiko Guest Posts: n/a	rag = newspaper (more often used by older folks) slower than pond water = a southernism used by my Dad "trunk" you probably know, but when I first came across the British word "boot," I was perplexed for days.

11-18-2006, 04:06 PM	#98
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	does the carpet match the drapes? cuffs and collars match? __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

11-18-2006, 05:21 PM	#99
busterb NSABFD Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MS. usa Posts: 3,908	Boy, if I could get Shine in this. Other day I heard him say something like, screwed up as bad as S*&ting in grandma's churn. Mine, tangled up like a snake under a lawn mower __________________ I've haven't left very deep footprints in the sands of time. But, boy I've left a bunch.

11-18-2006, 07:57 PM	#100
JayMcGee Cardigan-wearing man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Much Binding In The Marsh Posts: 1,082	I think my favourite is '90 percent of imports come from abroad' __________________ I like wearing cardigans...... my current favourite is an orange cable-knit with real leatherette buttons.

11-18-2006, 08:03 PM	#101
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Even better, when they charge for Shiner Bock as an import beer. It's brewed here in Texas. In that case, I guess they think import means "not Budweiser, Miller, or Coors" . . . ??? __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio** Last edited by Flint; 11-18-2006 at 08:06 PM.

11-18-2006, 08:10 PM	#102
JayMcGee Cardigan-wearing man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Much Binding In The Marsh Posts: 1,082	I guess that must fall in the 10% of imports that don't come from abroad. __________________ I like wearing cardigans...... my current favourite is an orange cable-knit with real leatherette buttons.

11-20-2006, 03:57 PM	#103
ferret88 (This space left intentionally UN-blank.) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 604	BFE = really far away (like where you'll find a parking space at the mall this time of year)

11-20-2006, 04:47 PM	#105
Torrere a real smartass Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 1,121	Does anyone know where "cleaned their clocks" comes from? I used it last weekend, and I've been trying to figure out where it came from ever since. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer Not the brightest apple in the tree I think that "cats fucking dogs" is nowhere near as popular as "cats and dogs sleeping together" or "it's raining cats and dogs".

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