Old time and not commonly-heard phrases.

[Cactus Jack Calder]

Fits and Starts

Lower than Whale *hit.

Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry?

Gosh Ang (My wife’s Pennsylvania Uncle)[Once I learned them, I’ve been known to use these expressions also]

Gee Oh Cripers ( Wife’s Uncle again, his way of not cursing in polite[?] society)
 

CJ

[Cactus Jack Calder]

High Falut’n

 

“Cold enough to freeze the balls off a Brass Monkey.”

The explanation I’ve heard is that on British Ships of the Line, they kept Cannon Balls stacked in pyramids next to the guns, ready for action. To keep them from simply rolling away there was a fixture, called a Monkey, attached to the deck with cup shaped depressions in it to hold the bottom layer in place. Cannon Balls were commonly made of cast iron and would rust when exposed to salt spray. If the Monkey was iron it would also rust and the Cannon Balls and Monkey could bond together (similar to a rusty nut and bolt). This of course was not an ideal situation. So Monkeys were commonly made of brass, as brass corrosion and iron rust would not bond.

Since the rates of expansion or contraction of the two metals in question, due to temperature change, are different. It was, in theory, possible for the Brass Monkey to shrink enough for the Cannon Balls to not longer fit in the depressions and roll away. Having Cannon Balls rolling around unrestrained on the deck was a formula for disaster.

Hence the expression indicates an extreme situation.

Is that High Falutn enough for yuh?

 

CJ

Edited February 6, 2025 by Cactus Jack Calder

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

it be rainin' like a cow wizzin' on a flat rock 

[Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062]

1 hour ago, Cactus Jack Calder said:

High Falut’n

 

“Cold enough to freeze the balls off a Brass Monkey.”

The explanation I’ve heard is that on British Ships of the Line, they kept Cannon Balls stacked in pyramids next to the guns, ready for action. To keep them from simply rolling away there was a fixture, called a Monkey, attached to the deck with cup shaped depressions in it to hold the bottom layer in place. Cannon Balls were commonly made of cast iron and would rust when exposed to salt spray. If the Monkey was iron it would also rust and the Cannon Balls and Monkey could bond together (similar to a rusty nut and bolt). This of course was not an ideal situation. So Monkeys were commonly made of brass, as brass corrosion and iron rust would not bond.

Since the rates of expansion or contraction of the two metals in question, due to temperature change, are different. It was, in theory, possible for the Brass Monkey to shrink enough for the Cannon Balls to not longer fit in the depressions and roll away. Having Cannon Balls rolling around unrestrained on the deck was a formula for disaster.

Hence the expression indicates an extreme situation.

Is that High Falutn enough for yuh?

 

CJ

 

it'll do

'tiz also the way I heard it  🙃

[Warden Callaway]

I'm gonna rip you a new one.

I'm gonna rip your arm off and beat you to death with the bloody end.

Honestly is the best policy. 

Boys will be boys.

Up, up and away.

Clean your plate. Kids in China are starving. 

 

[Eyesa Horg]

My Grandparents used this one and I haven't heard it in many decades. Moments ago our weather forecaster just said "It's a doosey....." Out there tonight"

[John Kloehr]

15 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said:

My Grandparents used this one and I haven't heard it in many decades. Moments ago our weather forecaster just said "It's a doosey....." Out there tonight"

Doozy. Duesenberg. The finest automobile of the time, and then the depression hit. The expression dates to this time when the extreme nature of the example was beyond the reach most people.

[John Kloehr]

2 hours ago, Warden Callaway said:

... Clean your plate. Kids in China are starving. 

So mail it to them...

[Alpo]

1 hour ago, John Kloehr said:

So mail it to them...

After that you had to stand up to clean your plate. Because it hurt too much to sit down.

[John Kloehr]

5 minutes ago, Alpo said:

After that you had to stand up to clean your plate. Because it hurt too much to sit down.

Can't say I said it twice 

[Warden Callaway]

If you can't raise the bridge, lower the water.

Get out the big guns.

I've not got a dowg in this fight.

Wouldn't take her to a dowg fight even if I knew she'd lose.

Over the teeth and through the gums, look out stomach here it comes.

Less is more.

I goes without saying. 

 

[John Kloehr]

37 minutes ago, Warden Callaway said:

If you can't raise the bridge, lower the water.

Get out the big guns.

So if you can't raise the bridge or lower the water, just blow up the bridge?

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

there were a few that R. Lee Ermey used in Full Metal Jacket but this is a family forum.

[Warden Callaway]

Don't let the screen door hit you where the good lord split you.

Go for broke.

Take a picture.  It'll last longer.

Like a bull in a China shop. 

The lion's share.

How low can you go?

Too many cooks spoil the meal.

Dazed and confused. 

Honest as the day is long.

Bull strong and rabbit tight.  (Fence)

Baby needs new shoes. 

Cold as a well diggers a$$.

Water over the bridge. 

Here today,  gone tomorrow. 

Half baked idea.  

[Warden Callaway]

I'm at a loss for word.

No words to describe it.

Measure twice, cut once.

No need to shut the gate when the horse is already gone. 

Run around like a chicken with its head cut offcut.

Three on a match. 

Kilroy was here. 

How crazy do you think I am? 

Stump broke.

Poor as a church mouse.

Off in the head. 

Down and dirty. Or, down right dirty. 

Clear as mud. 

Your name is Mudd.

Don't force it, get a bigger hammer. 

Clean up your act.

A sharp knife cuts cleanest. 

Like a hot knife through butter. 

One bad apple will spoil the barrel. 

Apples to apples. 

Bend or break. Or, Better bend than break.

It's a rocky road ahead. 

Run that by me again. 

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

Run around in circles. 

Just running up a balloon. 

Aim low. They're riding poneys.

Aim high.  They are riding my horses.

Over my head.

Not my pay grade.

Let's be honest. 

Like a fish on high ground.  Or, Like a fish out of water.

Fish or cut bait.

As fresh as yesterday's news.  

Climb down off your high horse.

Far be it from me..

It slipped my mind. 

You give me gray hairs.

I'm as hungry as a bitch with pups.

It's a dowgs life.

From now until the cows come.

When the pigeons come home to roost. 

 

 

 

 

[Nickle]

Dollars to donuts

[Eyesa Horg]

Cute as a button

 

Tighter than the south end of a northbound donkey in a wind storm

[Warden Callaway]

Pack you own parachute.  

Load your own gun.

Better safe than sorry. 

Sorry doesn't cut it.

Make hay while the sun shines. 

A rolling stone gathers no moss.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

The good lord watches over drunks and fools.

 

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

On 2/6/2025 at 1:42 PM, Warden Callaway said:

Clean your plate. Kids in China are starving. 

So how's me finishing up MY supper gonna help them?

[Warden Callaway]

1 hour ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said:

So how's me finishing up MY supper gonna help them?

As bad as WWII was in Europe,  China suffered greater loss. Established 35 million Chinese were killed by Japanese.  Europe had the Martial plan to rebuild. I don't know who helped the Chinese. 

[Warden Callaway]

Don't get your dander up.

Tie a knot in it. 

Zip it.

Your cruising for a bruising.

How about them apples?

Peachy keen, Jim Dandy.

Big bunch of nothing. 

Off to the races.

Back to the salt mine.

The dowg would have caught the rabbit if it didn't stop to $***

If it's a smokin' it's a cookin'. When it's burnt, it's done. 

Edited February 9, 2025 by Warden Callaway

[Warden Callaway]

You're twisting my arm.

Well hush my mouth. 

In a canoe without a paddle.

Home is where the heart is.

Fences make good neighbors. 

Up $*** creek without a paddle.

Burning your candle at both ends.

When there is too much month at the end of the money. 

Red sky in the morning,  sailors take warning.  Red sky at night, sailors delight. 

Watch your top knot.  

As shinny as a new penny. 

P.O.S.H.

Dull as a froe. 

Dumb as a bag of rocks. 

Handy as pockets on a shirt. 

 

 

 

[Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062]

16 minutes ago, Warden Callaway said:

 

 

When there is too much month at the end of the money. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  ....... this happens to me about 19 times a year ......  <blush>

[Warden Callaway]

Full of pi$$ and vinegar.

Dark as Collies butt. 

Meaner than a junk yard dowg.

Water over the bridge.

For the love of money.

Judge not less you be judged. 

Going off half cock.

That ship has already sailed.

Don't set there like a lump on a log.

Day late and dollar short.

Dress the part.

Say uncle.

He could break an anvil in plowed ground. 

Sober as a judge. 

Necked as a jaybird.

Off in the head. 

Easy pleasy,  lemmon squeezy. 

For the love of Pet.

Get off my back.

Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle.

Don't make me repeat myself. 

What goes around comes around. 

Bald as a billiard ball.

Blind as a bat.

Deaf as a doorknob. 

Things went from bad to worse.

Hot as a poker.

Something for everybody. 

Lost my shirt.

 

 

Edited February 11, 2025 by Warden Callaway

[Warden Callaway]

Fart in a whirlwind.

Tempest in a tea cup.

A$$ deep to a tall giraffe. 

What ever suits you, tickles me plum to death. 

I'm not buying it.

Can't slang a dead cat without hitting one.

Ain't got the sense God gave a goose.

Everybody and their cousins showed up.

I'm going to whip the tar out of you. 

It's no picnic. 

Made in the shade.

She's a carpenter's dream - flat as a board.

Makes my head spin.

More fun than getting dirty.

More fun than stomping baby chicks.

Weigh anchor.

Elephant in the room. 

 

 

[John Kloehr]

On 2/9/2025 at 8:50 AM, Warden Callaway said:

Tie a knot in it...

"... and hold it." I remember my dad yelling this at me. Usually about 5 minutes after we got gas and NOW I need to pee.

 

But I didn't then, I was thirsty then. And drank water then...

[Warden Callaway]

I'll drank to that.

As easy as falling of a log.

There's one in every crowd. 

Every dowg has its day.

Don't fall for that same old gag.

Slight of hand.

Half baked idea.

Shut one door, open another. 

Bumb's rush.

Light in the loafers. 

Can't see the forest for the trees.

It only hurts when I laugh. 

You don't sweat much for a fat girl.

Call me anything but don't call me late for supper.

Drunk as a skunk.

A brain is an awful thing to waste.

He's lost his marbles.

Blow your top.

Don't loose your head over a piece of tail.

Even the best is none too good. 

Don't go overboard. 

It just goes to show you.

Jumping Josephat.

 

 

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

On 1/25/2025 at 6:34 PM, DeaconKC said:

Darning socks

Dang me

Darning eggs

 

Dancing around like fart in a skillet

 

Alka Seltzer tablets in glass jars (I'd give a lot of money for dozen or so of those if they still had the screw on lids)

 

You aren't the most important person in this world.  You aren't even the most important person in this conversation

 

Carry on MacDuff

 

Lawn darts

 

Jungle gyms

 

Bloomers

 

Fender skirts

 

Don't cross a line you can't get back over.

 

Glass Wax

Edited February 12, 2025 by Forty Rod SASS 3935

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

On 2/6/2025 at 4:06 PM, John Kloehr said:

So mail it to them...

That put me on KP for a  few weeks when I said it to Mom and Dad heard it

[Warden Callaway]

Same old bump and grind.

Easier said than done. 

Jump for joy.

Got your back.

Putting out fires. (fixing problems)

Walking ain't crowded. 

Rise an shine.

Lie with dogs and you'll get fleas.

 

 

 

[Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062]

5 hours ago, Warden Callaway said:

I

A brain is an awful thing to waste.

 

         ........... so is a dirty mind .........  😇

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

On 2/6/2025 at 1:42 PM, Warden Callaway said:

I'm gonna rip you a new one.

I'm gonna rip your arm off and beat you to death with the bloody end.

Honestly is the best policy. 

Boys will be boys.

Up, up and away.

Clean your plate. Kids in China are starving. 

 

"Sticky end" was Dad's way with the arm saying.

[Warden Callaway]

Here comes the fuzz.

Cheese it, the cops. 

Yeah, and you ain't heard the last of it yet.

Along for the ride.

Bringing down the house.

Who cut the cheese? 

He who smelt it delt it.

Don't fet your shorts in a bunch.

The house was so small,  you had to go outside to change your mind. 

The hole in the screen door was so big you could kick a dowg threw. 

If I'm lying I'm dying.

I'll clean you clock.

Going to hell in a hand basket.

Crookeder than a barrel of snake. 

Better of dead.

If that don't take the cake.

Sink like a rock.

$**ing in tall grass.

Great balls of fire. 

Put it on the line.

Put your money down and take your chances.

Lump it or leave it.

I've decided,  it's one way or the other.

You come to a fork in the road,  take it.

Tell it to the mountain. 

Nothing to shout about.

Looks like she washed her face and forgot to iron it.

Make a bee line.

High as a kite.

Smooth as a baby's butt.

She's a twisted sister.

 

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

Who cut the cheese?

 

So stupid he couldn't pee a hole in a snowdrift.

 

Educated way beyond his intelligence.  (Thanks to my wife's boss, one of the most intelligent attorneys I even knew, and a very ordinary guy to boot.)

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

On 2/1/2025 at 4:21 PM, Warden Callaway said:

Watch your Ps and Qs. (No idea what it means. )

 

P Q.   Nothing to mind.

p q  Easy for kids to mix up when they are first learning to write by hand.  So you were told to mind them as to not get them mixed up.