"Bone to pick," dates back to the 16th century, simply refers to a dog chewing endlessly on, and "picking clean," a large bone. A "bone to pick" is thus a subject or issue that is expected to require considerable discussion or argument. A similar phrase, "bone of contention," meaning an issue over which two people argue, also dates back to the 1500s and refers, appropriately, to two dogs fighting over an especially choice bone.

i was thinking it was about zombies. vampires, and ggrave robbers. darn.

*Lack of planning on your part does not constitute and emergency on mine*

As it relates to my work: "last minute need of what you want that I can get you, required you to get your paper work to me weeks ago!"

BTW: my boss will not allow me to post that on my door LOL!!

"that's really skookum"

It has a range of positive meanings. The word can mean 'good,' 'strong,'[2] 'best,' 'powerful,' 'ultimate,' or 'brave.' Something can be skookum meaning 'really good' or 'right on! 'excellent!', or it can be skookum meaning 'tough' or 'durable.' A skookum burger is either a big[3] or a really tasty hamburger, or both.

"dry as a popcorn fart" :blush:

something that is very dry. a peice of bread without butter or water can be drier than a popcorn fart.

'whistling dixie'

To engage in unrealistically rosy fantasizing: "If you think mass transportation is going to replace the automobile I think you're whistling Dixie" (Henry Ford II).

Growing up my great grandmother used "Bufflehead" to describe someone stupid, clumsy, but without malicious intent, as in

"That buffleheaded cousinah yours tripped feeding the hogs and they all got loose. Took your uncle Max n' Sterling 3 hours to catch em all."

It is the name of this rather handsome bird:
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i...LakdNmo2Zd1T5p


Also in the freekin 1600s it meant "simpleton". Where did she LEARN this word?! I want to know how she picked it up, who gave it to her.

Taken aback

Meaning: Surprised or startled by a sudden turn of events.

Origin: 'Aback' means in a backward direction - toward the rear. It is a word that has fallen almost into disuse, apart from in the phrase 'taken aback'. Originally 'aback' was two words: 'a' and 'back', but these became merged into a single word in the 15th century. The word 'around' and the now archaic 'adown' were formed in the same way.

'Taken aback' is an allusion to something that is startling enough to make us jump back in surprise. The first to be 'taken aback' were not people though but ships. The sails of a ship are said to be 'aback' when the wind blows them flat against the masts and spars that support them. A use of this was recorded in the London Gazette in 1697: "I braced my main topsails aback."

If the wind were to turn suddenly so that a sailing ship was facing unexpectedly into the wind, the ship was said to be 'taken aback'. An early example of that in print comes from an author called Eeles in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 1754:

"If they luff up, they will be taken aback, and run the hazard of being dismasted."

Note: 'to luff' is to bring the head of a ship nearer to the wind.

The figurative use of the phrase, meaning surprised rather than physically pushed back, came in the 19th century. It appeared in The Times in March 1831:

"Whigs, Tories, and Radicals, were all taken aback with astonishment, that the Ministers had not come forward with some moderate plan of reform."

Charles Dickens also used it in his American Notes in 1842:

"I don't think I was ever so taken aback in all my life."

'doing the beast with two backs'

Meaning

Partners engaged in sexual intercourse.

Origin

This modern-sounding phrase is in fact at least as early as Shakespeare. He used it in Othello, 1604:


Iago:
"I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs."

Shakespeare may have been the first to use it in English, although a version of it appears in Rabelais' Gargantua and Pantagruel, circa 1532. This was translated into English by Thomas Urquhart and published posthumously around 1693:


"In the vigour of his age he married Gargamelle, daughter to the King of the Parpaillons, a jolly pug, and well-mouthed wench. These two did oftentimes do the two-backed beast together, joyfully rubbing and frotting their bacon 'gainst one another."

muckety-muck

I was going to write in another thread that my GF was home from another business trip. I was going to write that she was a muckety-muck in her company and then thought: where the heck did muckety-muck come from?

high muckamuck also high muckety-muck
n. Slang

An important, often overbearing person.

[From Chinook Jargon hayo makamak, plenty to eat.]

Word History: One might not immediately associate the word high muckamuck with fur traders and Native Americans, but it seems that English borrowed the term from Chinook Jargon, a pidgin language combining words from English, French, Nootka, Chinook, and the Salishan languages that was formerly used by them in the Pacific Northwest. In this language hayo makamak meant "plenty to eat" and is recorded in that sense in English contexts, the first one dated 1853, in which the phrase is spelled Hiou Muckamuck.

In 1856 we find the first recorded instance of the word meaning "pompous person, person of importance," in the Democratic State Journal published in Sacramento: "The professors the high 'Muck-a-Mucks' tried fusion, and produced confusion."

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

frotting??? omg i need to look that up.:glasses:

beyond the pale

The phrase "beyond the pale" dates back to the 14th century, when the part of Ireland that was under English rule was delineated by a boundary made of such stakes or fences, and known as the English Pale. To travel outside of that boundary, beyond the pale, was to leave behind all the rules and institutions of English society, which the English modestly considered synonymous with civilization itself.

Do I need to confess that I copy/pasted this? I just couldn't have explained it better lol

No of course. But I think the TOS asks that we also acknowledge our source to give credit where credit is due. So I guess if you just add your source it's okay.

I will check and make sure. (f)

It was the Urban Dictionary though I'm ashamed to admit it cause so much of their stuff is just so icky.

Forgot to mention that this is a wonderful bit of history. Thank you for sharing it with us.

No Love it's fine.... I found it fascinating! !

No harm no foul. :bunchflowers:

OMG a idiom thread..........

I've found a new home to "hang my hat!"


To take up residence somewhere.

"Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold...........



It is very satisfying to achieve revenge a long time after some upsetting event occurred. Vengeance is often more satisfying if it is not exacted immediately.

Sidebar: I still laugh when I see the episode of The Sopranos where Tony mis-quotes this as "Revenge Is A Dish Best Served With Cold Cuts"...:giggle:

"A Watched Pot Never Boils"


Something we wait for with impatient attention seems to take forever.

"One Hand Washes The Other"/" You Scratch My Back I'll Scratch Yours"


Meaning mutual favors exchanged help both parties achieve favorable outcomes.

"Curiosity Killed The Cat"


Being inquisitive about other people's comings and goings. Inquisitiveness can lead one into dangerous situations before finding the results one is seeking.

"Familiarity Breeds Contempt"...


Repeated exposure to someone or something often creates a contentious relationship. Things that didn't necessarily irritate you about someone or something begin to the longer you are exposed to them.

"What Goes Around Comes Around"....


The results of things that one has done will someday have an effect on the person who started the events.

"A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush"



Having something for certain is better than the possibility of getting something maybe.

"The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions"/"No Good Deed Goes Unpunished"


One's good deeds or good intentions will often result in more trouble than they are worth.

"Be Careful What You Wish For, You Might Just get It"


If you get things that you "wished for", there may be unexpected and unpleasant consequences.

"Bend Over Backwards"


To work very hard to accomplish something for someone; to go out of one's way.

"Head Over Heels"


Completely enamored of someone, typically a new romantic partner.

"Where There's Smoke There's Fire"


Used to say that if people are saying that someone has done something wrong there is usually a good reason for what is being said.

I had always thought it was mucky muck, but perhaps again it could be regional as many idioms tend to be!

"Lined Up Like Cord-wood"/Stacked Up Like Cord-wood



A vast amount of something!

Origin: In fall people who use primary wood stoves for heat will chop or buy cords of wood and then pile it neatly up for easy access. They tend to buy or chop vast amounts to carry them thru the cold weather season!

"Can Count On The Fingers Of One Hand & Have Plenty Of Fingers Left Over....



A phrase used to emphasize that something happens rarely. Something or some event that exists in very small numbers.

Tighten/ Loosen The Purse Strings......


To restrict (or increase) the amount of money available to be spent.

"Know Which Side Of One's Bread Is Buttered"...


To be aware of where your money comes from; to be loyal to the person or thing that will benefit you the most. To know who to be nice to or what to do in order to gain advantages for yourself.

Treat Everyone the Same
 

My cousin used to say that one must treat everyone the same; for myself, have always been the same with everyone (I think I may have gotten that understanding from my mom, not sure, don't remember). I distrust people who take sides... big red flag for me. :redcard:

"To Bite One's Tongue"



To forcibly prevent oneself from speaking, especially in order to avoid saying something inappropriate or likely to cause a dispute.

"All's Well That Ends Well".........

An event that has a good ending is good even if some things went wrong along the way.

Although this phrase is the title of a Shakespeare play, it likely predates it.

There's Never A Road So Long Without A Curve...

Things may be flowing smoothly now, but in time problems arise so be prepared.