04/08/24 Grif.Net - "Expired" Phrases (part 1)
b...@grif.net
(We’ve chuckled at Southern words, Midwestern phrases, Boomer slang, and Computer jargon in recent months, so today we’ll focus on words/phrases from our Grandparents’ day. Amazingly, I find myself still using some of these phrases from long ago in my present slightly age-addled vocabulary)
1. ALL AROUND ROBIN HOOD’S BARN (or AROUND DICKIE’S WINDMILL)
(taking a circuitous route to a destination, or to wander in a story without getting to the point)
2. USE SOME ELBOW GREASE
(recommendation for cleaning tough pots and pans, and – to the chagrin of some – not found in a bottle under the sink)
3. F.H.B.
(Family Hold Back, announced at the table quietly if we had unexpected guests and mom was not sure there was enough food for everyone; we knew we’d later get cereal – a real treat!)
4. LIKE FIBBER MCGEE’S CLOSET
(overstuffed, cluttered, and unusable, from an old radio show ‘Fibber McGee & Molly’)
5. GET A LADDER TO KISS A SNAKE
(description of someone less than trustworthy)
6. SLOWER THAN MOLASSES IN JANUARY
(performing a chore not “up to snuff” or speed for my dad)
7. I’LL BE A MONKEY’S UNCLE
(highly surprised at event or statement, or “monkey business” going on)
8. GET YOUR EARS LOWERED
(subtle recognition you need a haircut)
9. CAN’T PUT AN OLD HEAD ON YOUNG SHOULDERS
(when kids make mistakes or act plain dumb, this is a plea for patience)
10. THERE’S MORE TO FARMING THAN CASHING THE MILK CHECK
(when everything could . . or did . . go wrong on the farm, the money disappeared)
~~
Dr Bob Griffin
"Jesus Knows Me, This I Love!"
