Whatzat mean? Word origins.

homoe · 06-25-2018, 02:44 PM

The Jig's Up..............

The plan or scheme has been discovered and/or thwarted; the game, trick, or deception is at an end.

homoe · 06-25-2018, 02:46 PM

Three-ring Circus...............

A public spectacle, especially one with little substance. A chaotic situation, often one in which a lot of activity is occurring simultaneously.

homoe · 06-25-2018, 10:07 PM

Sour Grapes.......

Something that one cannot have and so disparages as if it were never desirable. If you describe someone's attitude as sour grapes, you mean that they are jealous of another person's success and show this jealousy by criticizing that person.

Origin: This expression alludes to the Greek writer Aesop's famous fable about a fox that cannot reach some grapes on a high vine and announces that they are sour. In English the fable was first recorded in William Caxton's 1484 translation, "The fox said these raisins be sour."

cathexis · 06-26-2018, 04:36 AM

Fixing (fittin, fixen) verb

Primarily used in the South, a regional dialect. Fixing popularly means getting ready to. An example would be, " I'm fixing to go to the store." It doesn't indicate any time or urgency in keeping with the more leisurely pace of the traditional South.

This word's etymology is truly American or as it is called, "an Americanism."

Webster - paraphrasing defines it as to prepare or to set/place in the manner most desired.

Farmer, John "Americanisms - Old and New, "called fix the hardest worked word in the 'American language.'" Farmer also notes that fixed could mean ready.

OED - defines fixing as making preparations for in def. 14a and 14b.

homoe · 06-28-2018, 10:02 AM

If You Play Your Cards Right.........

To act adeptly and with good judgment; to make the best and most effective use of the resources at one's disposal. To work or negotiate correctly and skillfully in order to receive an desired effect.

Origin: Not positive but I would think it comes from the actual game of card playing and winning if you play the cards you've been given correctly.

homoe · 06-28-2018, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cathexis

Fixing (fittin, fixen) verb

Primarily used in the South, a regional dialect. Fixing popularly means getting ready to. An example would be, " I'm fixing to go to the store." It doesn't indicate any time or urgency in keeping with the more leisurely pace of the traditional South.

This word's etymology is truly American or as it is called, "an Americanism."

Webster - paraphrasing defines it as to prepare or to set/place in the manner most desired.

Farmer, John "Americanisms - Old and New, "called fix the hardest worked word in the 'American language.'" Farmer also notes that fixed could mean ready.

OED - defines fixing as making preparations for in def. 14a and 14b.

I think a lot of idioms or expressions are regional! When I moved to Milwaukee, people would constantly say they were "going to go by" either someplace or someone which I soon found out meant they were actually going to that place of person NOT just going or driving by...

cathexis · 06-29-2018, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homoe

I think a lot of idioms or expressions are regional! When I moved to Milwaukee, people would constantly say they were "going to go by" either someplace or someone which I soon found out meant they were actually going to that place of person NOT just going or driving by...

In New Orleans it's "pass by." If a tourist hears that they get confused. They get the impression that you are going to walk or drive by their house when you are going to visit with the person. Another example of time being more fluid in the South. Growing up as the daughter of a true Southern lady, being up here in NY is a BIG adjustment. People seem to always be in a hurry no matter the reason. Once I got left behind by my Partner's family who were going to a town just to look around; because, I did not have my coat and boots on when my sister in law arrived.

homoe · 07-01-2018, 05:33 AM

Piss Poor / Doesn't Have A Pot To Piss In Nor A Window To Throw It Out Of...

A very poor person!

Origin: They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot. Once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery. If you had to do this to survive, you were 'piss poor.' But worse than that were the really poor folks, who couldn't even afford to buy a pot.

In medieval London, people did not have indoor plumbing. It was common to use a chamber pot as an indoor toilet. The chamber pot could then be dumped out a window into the street gutter below. A person who did not have a pot to piss in was poor indeed.

06-26-2018, 04:36 AM	#4
cathexis Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Trotskyist, Anarcho-syndicalist Preferred Pronoun?: They, Them, Their, Sir Bitch Relationship Status: open Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Great White North! Posts: 4,332 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,812 Thanked 4,706 Times in 1,604 Posts Rep Power: 21474849	Fixing (fittin, fixen) verb Primarily used in the South, a regional dialect. Fixing popularly means getting ready to. An example would be, " I'm fixing to go to the store." It doesn't indicate any time or urgency in keeping with the more leisurely pace of the traditional South. This word's etymology is truly American or as it is called, "an Americanism." Webster - paraphrasing defines it as to prepare or to set/place in the manner most desired. Farmer, John "Americanisms - Old and New, "called fix the hardest worked word in the 'American language.'" Farmer also notes that fixed could mean ready. OED - defines fixing as making preparations for in def. 14a and 14b. __________________ Insurrection is an art, and like all arts has its own laws. -----Leon Trotsky

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06-25-2018, 02:44 PM	#1
homoe Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: ..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle Posts: 38,565 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 20,811 Thanked 33,548 Times in 14,914 Posts Rep Power: 21474889	The Jig's Up.............. The plan or scheme has been discovered and/or thwarted; the game, trick, or deception is at an end.

06-25-2018, 02:46 PM	#2
homoe Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: ..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle Posts: 38,565 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 20,811 Thanked 33,548 Times in 14,914 Posts Rep Power: 21474889	Three-ring Circus............... A public spectacle, especially one with little substance. A chaotic situation, often one in which a lot of activity is occurring simultaneously.

06-25-2018, 10:07 PM	#3
homoe Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: ..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle Posts: 38,565 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 20,811 Thanked 33,548 Times in 14,914 Posts Rep Power: 21474889	Sour Grapes....... Something that one cannot have and so disparages as if it were never desirable. If you describe someone's attitude as sour grapes, you mean that they are jealous of another person's success and show this jealousy by criticizing that person. Origin: This expression alludes to the Greek writer Aesop's famous fable about a fox that cannot reach some grapes on a high vine and announces that they are sour. In English the fable was first recorded in William Caxton's 1484 translation, "The fox said these raisins be sour."

06-28-2018, 10:02 AM	#5
homoe Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: ..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle Posts: 38,565 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 20,811 Thanked 33,548 Times in 14,914 Posts Rep Power: 21474889	If You Play Your Cards Right......... To act adeptly and with good judgment; to make the best and most effective use of the resources at one's disposal. To work or negotiate correctly and skillfully in order to receive an desired effect. Origin: Not positive but I would think it comes from the actual game of card playing and winning if you play the cards you've been given correctly.

07-01-2018, 05:33 AM	#8
homoe Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: ..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle Posts: 38,565 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 20,811 Thanked 33,548 Times in 14,914 Posts Rep Power: 21474889	Piss Poor / Doesn't Have A Pot To Piss In Nor A Window To Throw It Out Of... A very poor person! Origin: They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot. Once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery. If you had to do this to survive, you were 'piss poor.' But worse than that were the really poor folks, who couldn't even afford to buy a pot. In medieval London, people did not have indoor plumbing. It was common to use a chamber pot as an indoor toilet. The chamber pot could then be dumped out a window into the street gutter below. A person who did not have a pot to piss in was poor indeed.