It usually comes up in our house as a suggestion for what a kid should do when they complain of boredom, and keep rejecting suggestions to do some list of useful tasks. It's generally followed by "slap round the face with a wet fish?"
On the sub-equatorial thread there was a mention of a 'supermarket'. That is surely a rarity these days. The only one I know of around here is a family-run corner store that sells everything, rather that the big grocery stores that used to be called supermarkets.
Supermarkets are still alive and widespread in the UK. What has disappeared is the department store. If there is an agglomeration of different business under one roof, it's usually a mall ('arcade' seems to have disappeared as well).
On the sub-equatorial thread there was a mention of a 'supermarket'. That is surely a rarity these days. The only one I know of around here is a family-run corner store that sells everything, rather that the big grocery stores that used to be called supermarkets.
Supermarket was never widely used in these parts, at least not in my experience. We all knew what it meant, of course, but in everyday conversation, that place was called a grocery store rather than a supermarket.
It strikes me that much of what we’re talking about here are not just phrases that date us, but that locate both in a particular time and a particular place. I’m of a comparable age of many posters here, I think, but the majority of the phrases mentioned in this thread are meaningless to me, not because I’m too young to have heard them but because I’m from a part of the world where they were never familiar to start with.
I don’t think that’s at all surprising. It’s something to enjoy.
I remembered the phrase, and that it was a cartoon cat, but I'm glad @ThunderBunk answered because the question would have nigged all afternoon if he hadn't.
At the hospital today I found myself using the phrase, 'Heaven's to murgatroyd'. Now where (oh where) does that come from?
I always associate that (and its sister-phrase "Heavens to Betsy") with the lady who ran the Altar Guild at the Cathedral in St John's.
She's also the only person I've ever heard saying "Jumping Jehoshaphat".
I'd say she's probably in her mid 80s; she was absolutely paranoid about people finding out her age, so it's an estimate based on knowing the age of people she was at university with.
All three phrases are familiar, and have probably come out of my mouth on occasion. As I have now reached my eighties, I guess you are right about the age of the lady you heard use them.
My dad used to say, when leaving the room, "Going to see a man about a dog" which confused me for years until I realised he was going to the "smallest room" (and that's another!)
My dad used to say, when leaving the room, "Going to see a man about a dog" which confused me for years until I realised he was going to the "smallest room" (and that's another!)
Yes, I remember at a school open day being utterly bemused by a parent who wanted to know where the restrooms were. Bathroom I might have twigged...
The Wycliffe Bible Translators used to have, at their headquarters near High Wycombe, a designated "Rest room" which was indeed a room for resting in! This caused confusion, especially as WBT is basically an American organisation.
Anyone still say, 'don't get your knickers in a twist'? Or, 'elbow grease'?
jus' arsking ........
Both. Though in the London end of Essex where I grew up, it would have been "jus' arstin'". I suppose that's more of an accent thing rather than the phrases up for discussion in this thread, but it's funny when letters get substituted, and it does tend to date people as accents change. I have a colleague at work who still comes in at nearly age 80, and he has a proper Salford accent in which words like 'bokkle' and 'hospikle' appear. Younger people don't seem to do it.
I think one of the reasons these and accents are tending to die out is the fact that regional accents have been looked down on. So - over time (and this started in my generation) people have started to adopt a "neutral" accent.
I think one of the reasons these and accents are tending to die out is the fact that regional accents have been looked down on. So - over time (and this started in my generation) people have started to adopt a "neutral" accent.
Probably partly responsible. Both my parents were from "working class" London families but they both did "better" and had office jobs. They were absolutely convinced that the way to succeed was to talk "properly" so it was drummed into my brother and me. "Eyether" not "EEther" etc.
Floating island (île flottante) is a traditional French confection. Poached meringue floats in light custard with a light caramel and possibly flaked almonds on top. It's a way of using up both parts of the egg.
One of our local PBS stations has a show called Washington Grown. It has segments of various local chefs using local products for their specialties. But at the conclusion of the show, it features a French chef who teaches food preparation at a local food bank kitchen. I remember him showing how to make this.
I remembered the phrase, and that it was a cartoon cat, but I'm glad @ThunderBunk answered because the question would have nigged all afternoon if he hadn't.
I remembered the phrase, and that it was a cartoon cat, but I'm glad @ThunderBunk answered because the question would have nigged all afternoon if he hadn't.
Slyvester would say that.
No, Sylvester never said “Heavens to Murgatroyd.” His equivalent catch phrase was “Sufferin’ Succotash.”
I think one of the reasons these and accents are tending to die out is the fact that regional accents have been looked down on. So - over time (and this started in my generation) people have started to adopt a "neutral" accent.
Probably partly responsible. Both my parents were from "working class" London families but they both did "better" and had office jobs. They were absolutely convinced that the way to succeed was to talk "properly" so it was drummed into my brother and me. "Eyether" not "EEther" etc.
There's a bunch more phrases that date you (and me) right there - "git yer elbaows orf the taybul", "it's haarrse not 'aarrse", "yer not wearing them overalls (jeans) to church" etc etc etc etc etc.... As far as accents go, it was definitely a case of (and here comes another one) "don't do as I do, do as I tell you". That sounds like it might have been a quote from a radio show, now I think of it, but one that predates me - any senior readers like to comment? We'll be vadering each other's eeks any minute now.
I remembered the phrase, and that it was a cartoon cat, but I'm glad @ThunderBunk answered because the question would have nigged all afternoon if he hadn't.
Slyvester would say that.
I tought I saw a putty cat.
Some years ago we had friends with two cats called Torteye and Torah. They used to have four - the others were called Puddy and Tat.
...not forgetting 'ere's what you could've won' My Dad watches a LOT of telly, mostly old repeats, and he was dozing in a chair fairly recently when Bullseye came on. My nearly-adult kids were transfixed - 'did people *really* get that excited about a clock radio?' Oh yes!
Comments
It usually comes up in our house as a suggestion for what a kid should do when they complain of boredom, and keep rejecting suggestions to do some list of useful tasks. It's generally followed by "slap round the face with a wet fish?"
Nice!
It strikes me that much of what we’re talking about here are not just phrases that date us, but that locate both in a particular time and a particular place. I’m of a comparable age of many posters here, I think, but the majority of the phrases mentioned in this thread are meaningless to me, not because I’m too young to have heard them but because I’m from a part of the world where they were never familiar to start with.
I don’t think that’s at all surprising. It’s something to enjoy.
And this reminds me of what used to be said here: “More ____ than Carter has little pills.” (See here for background.)
Eh?????
Gertcha !
To 'rabbit' is to talk - chatter - a lot. Sainsbury's, a grocers, sold cheap and popular rabbit meat in their butcher's department.
Again, more of a place reference than a date one.
ETA - read all about him https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snagglepuss
well, heavens to murgatroid!
Many thanks!
According to Mrs RR I say it quite a lot ....
I always associate that (and its sister-phrase "Heavens to Betsy") with the lady who ran the Altar Guild at the Cathedral in St John's.
She's also the only person I've ever heard saying "Jumping Jehoshaphat".
I'd say she's probably in her mid 80s; she was absolutely paranoid about people finding out her age, so it's an estimate based on knowing the age of people she was at university with.
Which might well be used by someone who also says, "I don't give a tinkers".
jus' arsking ........
Yes, I remember at a school open day being utterly bemused by a parent who wanted to know where the restrooms were. Bathroom I might have twigged...
Same here!
I say it in the USA
Both. Though in the London end of Essex where I grew up, it would have been "jus' arstin'". I suppose that's more of an accent thing rather than the phrases up for discussion in this thread, but it's funny when letters get substituted, and it does tend to date people as accents change. I have a colleague at work who still comes in at nearly age 80, and he has a proper Salford accent in which words like 'bokkle' and 'hospikle' appear. Younger people don't seem to do it.
Or should the be glo'al stop?
Probably partly responsible. Both my parents were from "working class" London families but they both did "better" and had office jobs. They were absolutely convinced that the way to succeed was to talk "properly" so it was drummed into my brother and me. "Eyether" not "EEther" etc.
One of our local PBS stations has a show called Washington Grown. It has segments of various local chefs using local products for their specialties. But at the conclusion of the show, it features a French chef who teaches food preparation at a local food bank kitchen. I remember him showing how to make this.
Slyvester would say that.
I tought I saw a putty cat.
There's a bunch more phrases that date you (and me) right there - "git yer elbaows orf the taybul", "it's haarrse not 'aarrse", "yer not wearing them overalls (jeans) to church" etc etc etc etc etc....
To change tack slightly, I found myself using "cock-a-hoop" yesterday. I think that definitely dates me!
'Left hand down a bit'
'He's fallen in the water'
'Oh Ron. Yes, Eth?'
'Wakey! Wakey!'
Some years ago we had friends with two cats called Torteye and Torah. They used to have four - the others were called Puddy and Tat.
/tangent
Full ahead both!
Ugh!!!!
Oh gosh, all of those!
Didn't 'ee do well?!
...not forgetting 'ere's what you could've won'
Oh dear .... I'm unsteady on my pins and can't remember my PINs, but these trivia ......
LHM.
"Open the box!" "Take the money!"
But I fear we're venturing into catchphrases rather than phrases we actually use.