Does anyone have any strange sayings, catchphrases etc that they know or use? My father used to say "I fell in the cart" and, as far as I'm aware, was the only person on the planet to say it. It kind of means to make an embarrassing mistake, but it would appear that no-one outside my immediate family has ever heard it. I'd love to know it's origins, if anyone knows.
Sue

Couldn't find that one in the Wordsworth Dictionary of Phrase and Fable Sue, but My mum - who's Irish -has a lovely one: As hard as a goat's knee!

perhaps not quite in the same league but my mother used to reply when I asked what is for tea

'legs chairs and pump handles'

My grandad was full of bizarre Northern phrases, I could fill a book. One weird one, usually when he'd cut himself, was:

"bleeding like a sheep"


which is a bit weird, don't you think.
Steven

Instead of the ubiquitous 'at the end of the day', or 'when all's said and done', my Dad used to say "When it comes down to 'hey, lads, hey'". There's a Geordie for ya.

Pete

Here's an interesting one. My little brother claims that it's a genuine Irish saying. Can anyone confirm or dispute that?

"So hungry I could eat the c**t off a low-flying duck".

Apologies to anyone who's blushing...

Huggs

Ralph

I always loved the phrase "same difference", which confuses many, but is essentially just agreeing with something someone just said because it's the same thing you said a minute ago, only worded differently.

teenta aryana wa fi eedah khatim

loosely translated:

'His arse is bare but he's got a ring on his finger'

I laughed like a hyena when my sister said this phrase. It's usually said about a person who doesn't have a penny to his name even to cover his arse but flashes a ring about to keep up appearances. Imagine the picture. It's a priorities thing...

One of my favourites - which basically means the same as Wordy's is fur coats and no knickers

And, these are a bit hackneyed now but I still love the lights are on but there's no-one home and the wheel is turning but the hamster's dead

ee.

One from my Irish gran was- 'mad as a chair'. I don't know why.

Something Glaswegian people are traditionally said to say of Edinburgh people is that on entering an Edinburgh house for a visit you'll be asked, "You'll have had your tea?" It emphasises the lack of hospitality to be expected in Edinburgh - a disgraceful slur, by the way.

Cas

'I was made as welcome as a fart in a space suit.'

That has to be my favourite.

Or...

As focused as a fart in a collander.

ee.

These are wonderful! It would be great to find out their origins. Obviously there are lots of regional sayings. Might try and find out...
Sue

<Added>

Just found this one - Face like a bulldog chewing a wasp - obviously meaning ugly!

I love the expression Jethro ( The Comedian ) uses

Drunk as a mattress