Heard it many times never new what it meant

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by yellowperil

Seems to be the Brits who came up with these interesting "sayings".

Sticky wicket, is another, which I think means "You're in a bind"

And "put your wellies in it" means to stand on the accelerator pedal and give it some gas.

[flatbutt]

Bless your cotton socks always made me giggle.

Did you know that to "press someone" for an answer comes from the practice of stacking flat stones on someone's chest to get them to confess to an accusation?

[RobFrost]

To come a cropper is UK for to have a nasty fall, and is used as a euphemism for any spectacular failure.

Apparently it comes from falling "neck and crop" which is an antiquated way of saying falling completely from a horse. I think it was a bit like head over heels or we also say falling arse over tit.

Many UK idioms come from naval language, e.g. show the ropes, son of a gun, showing your true colours or changing tack, but not this one.

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[flatbutt]

I know youse guys have heard this one.

"Well if you don't know I'm not going to tell you!" I'm still not sure what that means. Other than I was in trouble...again.

[yellowperil]

Around 1961 0r 62 my two cousins, same age, came over to Canada from the UK
with a whole new language, and it took a while to get used to it. I only remember
a couple of phrases " give us a fag" and "fancy a cupa?" goofy, but man were they cool in their tight slim pants and pointy shoes. It was the start all those brit bands and we had known nothing like it. Eye opener!

[matthewb0051]

I thought I knew "Cleveland steamer" until a buddy moved there last week. We both looked it up and were flabbergasted at the actual meaning.

If you are from the real South (not places north of Tennessee) you will know what "bless your heart" or "bless his heart" means.

[yellowperil]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

I thought I knew "Cleveland steamer" until a buddy moved there last week. We both looked it up and were flabbergasted at the actual meaning.

If you are from the real South (not places north of Tennessee) you will know what "bless your heart" or "bless his heart" means.

Yikes!! Holy crap! I looked up Cleveland steamer, it's a Messerschmitt. I hope what you do in Cleveland stays in Cleveland.

[Bill Douglas]

Ah, I said to myself DON'T google Cleveland Steamer, but I did. I sure wish I hadn't

I'm only 63, too young to know about that sort of stuff.

[KevinTodd]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Ah, I said to myself DON'T google Cleveland Steamer, but I did. I sure wish I hadn't

I'm only 63, too young to know about that sort of stuff.

Well, all I can say to that, is to definitely NOT look up Rear Admiral, Rusty Trombone, or Glass Bottom Boat either.

[flatbutt]

I heard this today "hell for leather" and looked it up. It means a hard walk or march that is tough on the shoes and hence the person wearing them.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by yellowperil

Yikes!! Holy crap! I looked up Cleveland steamer, it's a Messerschmitt. I hope what you do in Cleveland stays in Cleveland.

I just thought it meant dropping a duce that was large and steaming, like when outside. Boy was I wrong.

I've heard lots of folks in the Army say it and I'm pretty sure they didn't mean the actual thing.