A few days ago, Katelyn and her friend Nate were having a conversation and Katelyn used the word "traipsing". Nate thought it was hilarious. He had never heard the word and was sure Katelyn was making it up. The two of them decided to look up "traipse" in the dictionary and this is what they found...
Traipse [Trayps] - to wander without purpose; to walk around casually and without a specific destination
Then I started thinking, Nate felt the way I did the first time I heard my husband use the expression "Full of Piss and Vinegar". I wrote about it in my August 2010 Archive, but I'm posting again for those of you who may have missed it the first time. Here goes.
Yesterday my husband told our son he was "Full of Piss and Vinegar". I asked him "What does that mean? I have been married to you for twenty-eight years and I've never heard you say that!" He told me "I don't know. It's a southern thing."
Then I started thinking about some of the funny expressions that I've heard my parents and grandparents use. Here are a few:
Doohicky- anything you can't put a name on
Knee High to a Grasshopper- describes someone who is short
You're Cruisin' for a Bruisin'- you're going to get in trouble
I Have a Bone to Pick with You- you disagree and want to discuss it
Mind your P's and Q's- Be good
Yessirreebob- Yes! For sure!
Oh Horse Feathers!- I don't believe it.
Fork Over- Give me some
School of Hard Knocks- learn the hard way
Quit Horsing Around- quit goofing off
I think it's interesting how some expressions change over time. I remember the first time my son heard me say "soused". He thought I made it up until he heard an older gentleman say it.
What goes around comes around. I'm sure children of the younger generation will laugh at their parents when they say things like...
I'm Down- I'm okay with it
PHAT (fat)- Pretty Hot And Tempting
Tight- very close, as in best friends are tight.
Word Up?- "What's going on?"
Sick- meaning cool or neat
Can you think of other funny words or expressions?
5 comments:
Here's a few I thought of..........
“a bunch of malarkey” = not true
“cute as a bug's ear”
“knock your socks off”
"do I look like I just fell off a turnip truck?" = do I look stupid
"well don't that just beat all"
"smart as a whip"
"sharper than a tack"
“filthy rich”
“dirt poor”
"when pigs fly" - never
"wetting your whistle" - getting a drink
like the kettle calling the pot black"
Marilyn- Oh, those are great! Thanks. :)
Love this post. This is exactly what I want to include in my memory journal. Things my folks said, grandparents and my children. Even if it is a cliche. Love it. I have heard of almost all of yours. I am from the west. I think that is why.
Mind your Ps and Qs: Mind your Pints and Quarts.... I believe it's a reference to drinking beer... Cheers!!
Alessa @ Carolina HeartStrings
carolinaheartstrings- Do you think it's a west coast thing? I don't know... I've heard my southern relatives say a few interesting things. :)
Alessa- I had NO IDEA that P's and Q's meant pints and quarts. Thanks to you, I learned something new today.
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