When I sold cars we called customers 'Ups'. As in 'You grab the next Up on the lot'. Have no idea where that came from.

:d:d

It probably (I'm speculating) derives from an auctioneer holding up / aloft an item for bidders' consideration.

It's stupid and awkward grammatically for sure, but might have some merit.

How bout we move on to more important things and not be all uppity about grammar and the etymology of certain words. ;)

I believe the "up" comes from the auction block that items for sale were placed "up" on for the people to view...

I see Zeke is up to his old tricks.


And Embraer, I had a great chuckle reading this. I grew up in Tn and my mother said this to me. A lot! And then I'd stand and raise the toy, book, whatever, above my head and look at her. She'd say "You know what I mean!" We had many laughs doing that.

Whats up with this thread? No reason to get all up in arms about it. I dont put things for sale, I put them UP for sale. Better things to worry about.

up for sale is much better than 4 sale

Milt, I find this opening phrasing extremely annoying for some reason...

"Here we have a like new 19-such-and-such 4-speed positraction Mix-a-lot with FM stereo cassette and power door locks."

What is this person imagining... himself as an emcee somewhere with a roomful of people chomping at the bit to be entertained by the used goodies he dug up or found when he dragged the river?

I don't know why it annoys me, it just does. Anybody else?

I always assumed that meant, "You're up."

Yeah, that one too. And I think you nailed it, it's dialog. We're supposed to pay special attention because the seller has taken action, i.e., "up for sale."

I feel it's a lower class idiom.