Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

This Forum is the main messageboard to discuss all things Claret and Blue and beyond
Lord Beamish
Posts: 5001
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 4:00 pm
Been Liked: 3435 times
Has Liked: 2881 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by Lord Beamish » Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:08 pm

houseboy wrote:Cross the Rubicon refers to the Greek myth that when you die you cross the river Rubicon into the underworld, a place of no return. Thus meaning 'no going back'.
No it's not. The river you are meaning is the Styx.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Rubicon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This user liked this post: elwaclaret

RingoMcCartney
Posts: 10318
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2016 4:45 pm
Been Liked: 2636 times
Has Liked: 2798 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by RingoMcCartney » Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:17 pm

"Paint the town red"

The phrase “paint the town red” most likely owes its origin to one legendary night of drunkenness. In 1837, the Marquis of Waterford—a known lush and mischief maker—led a group of friends on a night of drinking through the English town of Melton Mowbray. The bender culminated in vandalism after Waterford and his fellow revelers knocked over flowerpots, pulled knockers off of doors and broke the windows of some of the town’s buildings. To top it all off, the mob literally painted a tollgate, the doors of several homes and a swan statue with red paint. The marquis and his pranksters later compensated Melton for the damages, but their drunken escapade is likely the reason that “paint the town red” became shorthand for a wild night out.
This user liked this post: FactualFrank

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by houseboy » Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:18 pm

Lord Beamish wrote:No it's not. The river you are meaning is the Styx.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Rubicon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I stand correct. Is the Rubicon the Roman version. You are of course completely correct.

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by houseboy » Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:23 pm

Lord Beamish wrote:No it's not. The river you are meaning is the Styx.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Rubicon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Having read the link I see now. The Styx was crossed via the ferry of Charon (why didn't I remember this?). Thanks for reminding me, I used to be well versed in Greek and Roman mythology. My age must be getting the better of me (I'm ready for the ferry). Ha ha.
This user liked this post: Lord Beamish

JohnMac
Posts: 7181
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2016 6:11 pm
Been Liked: 2367 times
Has Liked: 3781 times
Location: Padiham

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by JohnMac » Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:29 pm

'Sky Sports understands'

I've never understood what they understand!
This user liked this post: Lord Beamish

elwaclaret
Posts: 8928
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:57 am
Been Liked: 1986 times
Has Liked: 2875 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by elwaclaret » Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:12 pm

houseboy wrote:Cross the Rubicon refers to the Greek myth that when you die you cross the river Rubicon into the underworld, a place of no return. Thus meaning 'no going back'.

Sorry just googled it to check my facts......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Rubicon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Julius Caesar's crossing the Rubicon was an event in 49 BC that precipitated the Roman Civil War, which ultimately led to Caesar's becoming dictator for life and the rise of the imperial era of Rome. ... The phrase "crossing the Rubicon" is today often used as an idiom to mean passing a point of no return.
‎Point of no return · ‎Alea iacta est · ‎Illyricum
Cross the Rubicon - Idioms by The Free Dictionary
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/cross+the+Rubicon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
cross the Rubicon. ... For example, Once he submitted his resignation, he had crossed the Rubicon. This phrase alludes to Julius Caesar's crossing the Rubicon River (between Italy and Gaul) in 49 b.c., thereby starting a war against Pompey and the Roman Senate.
People also ask
What is the significance of Caesar crossing the Rubicon?
Why did Caesar cross the Rubicon with his army?

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by houseboy » Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:24 pm

elwaclaret wrote:Sorry just googled it to check my facts......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Rubicon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Julius Caesar's crossing the Rubicon was an event in 49 BC that precipitated the Roman Civil War, which ultimately led to Caesar's becoming dictator for life and the rise of the imperial era of Rome. ... The phrase "crossing the Rubicon" is today often used as an idiom to mean passing a point of no return.
‎Point of no return · ‎Alea iacta est · ‎Illyricum
Cross the Rubicon - Idioms by The Free Dictionary
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/cross+the+Rubicon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
cross the Rubicon. ... For example, Once he submitted his resignation, he had crossed the Rubicon. This phrase alludes to Julius Caesar's crossing the Rubicon River (between Italy and Gaul) in 49 b.c., thereby starting a war against Pompey and the Roman Senate.
People also ask
What is the significance of Caesar crossing the Rubicon?
Why did Caesar cross the Rubicon with his army?
Yeah mate, I was corrected on that earlier. I was thinking of the Styx. Having had a quick look it seems that there is some doubt as to it's modern day existence, although it might be something like a stream in Northern Italy. Certainly nothing substantial.
This user liked this post: elwaclaret

Cheshire Exile
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2017 3:04 pm
Been Liked: 11 times
Has Liked: 5 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by Cheshire Exile » Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:32 pm

"Play it by ear" is derived from music- most songs in popular music follow the same rules of harmony, so when a musician is sufficiently proficient on an instrument he can recognise (through developing an "ear") what key a given song is in and work out the chord changes as he goes along without any written music in sight, hence "playing it by ear".
This user liked this post: BFCmaj

elwaclaret
Posts: 8928
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:57 am
Been Liked: 1986 times
Has Liked: 2875 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by elwaclaret » Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:46 pm

houseboy wrote:Yeah mate, I was corrected on that earlier. I was thinking of the Styx. Having had a quick look it seems that there is some doubt as to it's modern day existence, although it might be something like a stream in Northern Italy. Certainly nothing substantial.
Yes not a river I could point to - but I think the legend is that just before the crossing Julius made it clear once they crossed they were committed to the fight, if his troops wanted out this was the last chance.

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by houseboy » Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:59 pm

elwaclaret wrote:Yes not a river I could point to - but I think the legend is that just before the crossing Julius made it clear once they crossed they were committed to the fight, if his troops wanted out this was the last chance.
That's a great story mate. Just imagine:
Ceaser: Okay guys, if we cross this river we're in a spot of bother and we might find that the locals will try to kill us. If you don't want to bother it's fine.
Troops (muttering and mumbling): That's very gracious of you boss, I think we'll give it a swerve and be off then. Best of luck.

elwaclaret
Posts: 8928
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:57 am
Been Liked: 1986 times
Has Liked: 2875 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by elwaclaret » Thu Jan 18, 2018 5:03 pm

Lord Beamish wrote:Two expressions I only ever heard Grandma Beamish use were, 'I'll put salt on your/their tail', and 'Foot, Horse, and Guns'.
The first was an admonition if she was going to scold or punish you/someone. Ironically, she was inveterately kind and never raised her voice, let alone her hand to any child.
The second would be used like others would use 'lock, stock, and barrel', or 'the whole nine yards'.

I have a different explanation for 'beyond the pale' to Wexford's above. The pale mentioned refers to stakes or pales(from where we derive the word impale) used to make fences and palisades. Anything that was unacceptable or forbidden was outside the bounds of said fences and was said to be 'beyond the pale'.

"Horse, foot and Guns" were the three arms of the army - and is used as another way to describe the "Horse and Musket" (roughly end of 100 years war to Franco -Prussian War period), so your nan could well have used it in the "lock, stock and barrel" context, its even the same period :-)

as an aside... the whole 9 yards is the distance around all the bases for a home run in baseball. (not suggesting that you don't know that)

and agree pale - I understand to mean the pales (big pointy sticks) of a palisade - to be beyond the pale was to be outside the works.

holdyourfire
Posts: 396
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 7:23 pm
Been Liked: 92 times
Has Liked: 208 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by holdyourfire » Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:04 pm

Happy as a pig in s--t

redwasp
Posts: 388
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 11:38 am
Been Liked: 88 times
Has Liked: 35 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by redwasp » Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:10 pm

I think "Close but no cigar" comes from the time of travelling fairs in America when a cigar was given to anyone hitting the target on stalls such as a coconut shy.

holdyourfire
Posts: 396
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 7:23 pm
Been Liked: 92 times
Has Liked: 208 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by holdyourfire » Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:18 pm

What does (its the devil or the deep blue sea)mean?
This user liked this post: Claret-On-A-T-Rex

holdyourfire
Posts: 396
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 7:23 pm
Been Liked: 92 times
Has Liked: 208 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by holdyourfire » Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:25 pm

What would you rather BE(E)or a WASP.
What would you rather SEE(A) or the OCEAN.

Vino blanco
Posts: 5345
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 2:42 pm
Been Liked: 1898 times
Has Liked: 1965 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by Vino blanco » Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:26 pm

Elwa, the distance round a baseball diamond is 120 yards, so your nine yard theory doesn't make sense. The phrase 'the whole nine yards' has only been used regularly in the last thirty years and according to Google the origin is unknown, though several possible explanations have been proposed, including nine yards being the length of a bullet strap on a machine gun, i.e. Giving someone the whole nine yards, but as I say, there is no clear origin of the phrase.

midlander63
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2016 8:46 pm
Been Liked: 30 times
Has Liked: 3 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by midlander63 » Thu Jan 18, 2018 9:32 pm

I used to work with a bloke years ago who had a strange saying which meant hanging around aimlessly, or not knowing what to do.

He used to say "we're stood round like cheese at fourpence"

Didn't understand it then and I still don't now.

atlantalad
Posts: 480
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 9:57 pm
Been Liked: 131 times
Has Liked: 114 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by atlantalad » Thu Jan 18, 2018 11:13 pm

Got the hang of this thread as the devils in the detail.

I'll leave that one hanging

I don't suffer fools ??

CFS
Posts: 1848
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 8:46 am
Been Liked: 231 times
Has Liked: 113 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by CFS » Thu Jan 18, 2018 11:36 pm

Penalty to arsenal. How just how.

cricketfieldclarets
Posts: 21464
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
Been Liked: 8585 times
Has Liked: 11285 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by cricketfieldclarets » Thu Jan 18, 2018 11:59 pm

Al football related...

Unplayable. Proper grinds my gears that one. As they say. (Who the **** are they?)

Number ten role.

False nine.

Sweeper keeper.

Inverted wingers.

cricketfieldclarets
Posts: 21464
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
Been Liked: 8585 times
Has Liked: 11285 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by cricketfieldclarets » Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:00 am

Il have your guts for garters

dibraidio
Posts: 1523
Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 3:34 pm
Been Liked: 505 times
Has Liked: 143 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by dibraidio » Fri Jan 19, 2018 9:10 am

Is the full nine yards not related to kilts?

Historically it took 9 yards of cloth to make a great kilt. (The origin of the phrase “The whole nine yards”.) At the time looms were only able to weave fabric up to about 30 inches wide. To make a great kilt the tartan would be cut in half, leaving you with two pieces, each about 30 inches wide and 4 ½ yards long. The two pieces would then be sewn together side by side, making the finished great kilt about 60 inches wide and 4 ½ yards long.

evensteadiereddie
Posts: 9585
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:45 pm
Been Liked: 3146 times
Has Liked: 10202 times
Location: Staffordshire

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by evensteadiereddie » Fri Jan 19, 2018 10:42 am

My mum actually used the term "off at the boggart" the other day, I'd not heard it for years. Derives from horses that were suddenly going wild being described as having the devil or "boggart" in them.
JKR used the term in her Harry Potter books apparently but I can't remember which book(s).
This user liked this post: CleggHall

CleggHall
Posts: 3274
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:07 am
Been Liked: 838 times
Has Liked: 1044 times
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by CleggHall » Fri Jan 19, 2018 10:49 am

The Clegg Hall Boggart is the ghost which inhabits my former home! :D
This user liked this post: evensteadiereddie

Vintage Claret
Posts: 2201
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2016 3:03 pm
Been Liked: 932 times
Has Liked: 607 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by Vintage Claret » Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:58 pm

midlander63 wrote:I used to work with a bloke years ago who had a strange saying which meant hanging around aimlessly, or not knowing what to do.

He used to say "we're stood round like cheese at fourpence"

Didn't understand it then and I still don't now.
You might have worked with my dear old Dad, he used to say that :lol:

I might be imagining this but I think he once told me it was something to do with (in bygone times) grocers reducing cheese in price once it passed what these days we would call it's sell by date, and once it got down to such a low price (e.g. fourpence) it wasn't particularly palatable and therefore was hard to sell and 'stood around' for a while.

Too old to be grumpy
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2016 4:46 pm
Been Liked: 6 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by Too old to be grumpy » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:42 pm

'Back of the net'.
That implies there is a front of the net. Anybody know where that is?

piston broke
Posts: 5548
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2016 10:40 pm
Been Liked: 1447 times
Has Liked: 1229 times
Location: Ferkham Hall

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by piston broke » Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:24 pm

Stop titty pattying

50 shades of Grey
Posts: 591
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2016 8:38 pm
Been Liked: 332 times
Has Liked: 1 time

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by 50 shades of Grey » Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:55 pm

'big do's and little do's'

piston broke
Posts: 5548
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2016 10:40 pm
Been Liked: 1447 times
Has Liked: 1229 times
Location: Ferkham Hall

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by piston broke » Fri Jan 19, 2018 5:18 pm

He's a lob lol.

bpgburn
Posts: 517
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 2:02 pm
Been Liked: 184 times
Has Liked: 83 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by bpgburn » Fri Jan 19, 2018 7:03 pm

Soft Mick?
Got more nerve than soft Mick
Had more jobs than soft Mick etc etc etc
Who is soft Mick?

evensteadiereddie
Posts: 9585
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:45 pm
Been Liked: 3146 times
Has Liked: 10202 times
Location: Staffordshire

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by evensteadiereddie » Fri Jan 19, 2018 7:04 pm

Another one from my parents that springs to mind is when - younger readers might want to move on - I was supposed to be helping my dad fit a plastic panel to the rear window of a Morris 1000. Nowadays, heated rear windows are standard but not then. You had to clean the back window with meths and then hope to God the plastic panel would stick. Well, this particular Sunday morning it wouldn't and every time the bloody thing dropped off, my old man would snarl, "Gah, yon it !"
I started giggling so much as he got more and more exasperated that I felt it wiser and safer to leave him to it.
"Yon it" as in" to hell with it", I'm guessing.

Ooogeorgeorgeoghani
Posts: 934
Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2016 7:47 pm
Been Liked: 212 times
Has Liked: 72 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by Ooogeorgeorgeoghani » Fri Jan 19, 2018 7:15 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Al football related...

Unplayable. Proper grinds my gears that one. As they say. (Who the **** are they?)

Number ten role.

False nine.

Sweeper keeper.

Inverted wingers.

Pick a man up !
Sit on him!
He's your man !

What in the name of god !!

cricketfieldclarets
Posts: 21464
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
Been Liked: 8585 times
Has Liked: 11285 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by cricketfieldclarets » Fri Jan 19, 2018 7:52 pm

Ooogeorgeorgeoghani wrote:Pick a man up !
Sit on him!
He's your man !

What in the name of god !!
Jockey.

**** off.

charlyt
Posts: 2191
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2016 5:39 pm
Been Liked: 70 times
Has Liked: 68 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by charlyt » Sat Jan 20, 2018 1:19 am

It's a load of bollo**s
Couldn't give a sh*t

Cirrus_Minor
Posts: 4395
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 8:20 pm
Been Liked: 1156 times
Has Liked: 1282 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by Cirrus_Minor » Sat Jan 20, 2018 5:17 am

Always like the expression for some who knows what they are doing..

'He's got his chairs at home'.

bpgburn
Posts: 517
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 2:02 pm
Been Liked: 184 times
Has Liked: 83 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by bpgburn » Sat Jan 20, 2018 9:59 am

A favourite of my Mother's was "Stand the drop of York" as in "if you're right in the head I'll stand the drop of York".

Believed to refer to the drop of the gallows at York meaning if I'm wrong in what I'm saying I'll gladly hang for it.

She was obviously pretty confident that I weren't quite right in the head :shock:

FactualFrank
Posts: 25445
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 12:46 am
Been Liked: 6930 times
Has Liked: 11660 times
Location: Leeds

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by FactualFrank » Mon Feb 19, 2018 11:54 am

Break a leg: https://factualfacts.com/break-a-leg/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

halfmanhalfbiscuit
Posts: 581
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 8:20 am
Been Liked: 130 times
Has Liked: 352 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by halfmanhalfbiscuit » Mon Feb 19, 2018 12:06 pm

FactualFrank wrote:There's quite a few common sayings in the English language that everyone has heard of, but not many seem to know why we say it. I've been reading about a few.

"Break a leg."
Having the "Upper hand"
"Close, but no cigar."
"Sleep tight"
"Brand spanking new." - is that better than new?
"With a grain of salt."
"Tied the knot."
"Jump on the bandwagon."


Any others?
I think sleep tight is down to sailors sleeping in hammocks and the rope needing to be tight.

halfmanhalfbiscuit
Posts: 581
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 8:20 am
Been Liked: 130 times
Has Liked: 352 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by halfmanhalfbiscuit » Mon Feb 19, 2018 12:07 pm

midlander63 wrote:I used to work with a bloke years ago who had a strange saying which meant hanging around aimlessly, or not knowing what to do.

He used to say "we're stood round like cheese at fourpence"

Didn't understand it then and I still don't now.
My mum says this.

NL Claret
Posts: 2004
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2016 12:37 pm
Been Liked: 515 times
Has Liked: 209 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by NL Claret » Mon Feb 19, 2018 12:15 pm

Usually comes out of Danny Murphy's mouth, "a coming together" "definite contact". I don't understand this, I don't he does either.

MACCA
Posts: 15591
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:10 am
Been Liked: 4360 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by MACCA » Mon Feb 19, 2018 12:23 pm

He knows his onions...

Where's that from?
It's been said to me about tradesmen who get recommended.
E.g.
"I'd give Graham a ring from X place, he knows his onions"
This user liked this post: FactualFrank

FactualFrank
Posts: 25445
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 12:46 am
Been Liked: 6930 times
Has Liked: 11660 times
Location: Leeds

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by FactualFrank » Mon Feb 19, 2018 12:30 pm

MACCA wrote:He knows his onions...

Where's that from?
It's been said to me about tradesmen who get recommended.
E.g.
"I'd give Graham a ring from X place, he knows his onions"
I think that's an American term from what I remember.

Sutton-Claret
Posts: 1420
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:55 pm
Been Liked: 378 times
Has Liked: 164 times
Location: York

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by Sutton-Claret » Mon Feb 19, 2018 12:47 pm

''Crack one off''........... :lol: :lol:

Bullabill
Posts: 908
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:40 am
Been Liked: 301 times
Has Liked: 147 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by Bullabill » Tue Feb 20, 2018 5:22 am

To 'Beg the question'
and
The 'Carrot and stick approach'.

elwaclaret
Posts: 8928
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:57 am
Been Liked: 1986 times
Has Liked: 2875 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by elwaclaret » Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:48 am

Several references to CHEESE AT FOURPENCE. - The saying is actually the opposite of a couple on heere - "Selling like cheese at 4d". This comes from market traders who halved their prices for the last hour of the day. Cheese for many many years was 8d - (it was the accepted price for cheese for years equivalent to the 10p carton of our childhoods). When it was dropped to 4d queues would form to gt a bargain. Hence selling "like cheese at fourpence".

Down_Rover
Posts: 1749
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:09 pm
Been Liked: 445 times
Has Liked: 187 times
Location: Manchester

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by Down_Rover » Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:49 am

Best thing since sliced bread

elwaclaret
Posts: 8928
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:57 am
Been Liked: 1986 times
Has Liked: 2875 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by elwaclaret » Tue Feb 20, 2018 9:15 am

Bullabill wrote:To 'Beg the question'
and
The 'Carrot and stick approach'.
"Beg the question" at public meetings little markers (often white kerchief's were given to those who were going to be allowed to ask a question in the meeting.If you weren't allocated a kerchief you would have to beg another attendee for the kerchief so you could take the floor.

"The carrot and the stick" - simply refers to the legend that if you dangle a carrot out of reach of a donkey / horse they will keep going even though they're tired... to try to get the carrot.

elwaclaret
Posts: 8928
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:57 am
Been Liked: 1986 times
Has Liked: 2875 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by elwaclaret » Tue Feb 20, 2018 9:24 am

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Il have your guts for garters
Many body parts were made use of from defeated enemies - probably the most famous being scalps. The most infamous the scrotum for a purse. Garters held the long stockings up and gut was often used (but normally animals).

Pstotto
Posts: 6224
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2016 12:11 pm
Been Liked: 1024 times
Has Liked: 763 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by Pstotto » Tue Feb 20, 2018 10:44 am

Buddhism and Hinduism, spirituality, Jeremy Corbyn, politics.

Bullabill
Posts: 908
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:40 am
Been Liked: 301 times
Has Liked: 147 times

Re: Things we hear or say without actually understanding it

Post by Bullabill » Tue Feb 20, 2018 11:33 am

Begging the question.

Any form of argument where the conclusion is assumed in one of the premises. Many people use the phrase “begging the question” incorrectly when they use it to mean, “prompts one to ask the question”. That is NOT the correct usage. Begging the question is a form of circular reasoning.

Post Reply