topic Re: Expressions! in Community Chat

Expressions!

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 04:07:58 GMT

There are expressions we use everyday, but do we ever think about the meaning behind them and how they came to be? The one I find most baffling is "Good Grief!" Now there's an oxymoron. In whose world is grief good? It's used as an expression of annoyance and exasperation and appears to imply the person on the receiving end of the utterance must be a fool. I've never strung those two words together in my life, and hope I never will. My go-to is "Peace Out" which simply means good-bye. How about you, are there any common expressions you say or ponder?

Re: Expressions!

makena — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 04:23:51 GMT

I never think about their meaning because they are "expressions" and pretty much don't mean anything. I know under what circumstances they are used and what context they have under those circumstances, but as to where they came from, eh.

Re: Expressions!

IdahoGram — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 04:27:10 GMT

Showing my age probably, but I use the expression,"Cheaper than a two-buck suitcase". It's meaning as I know it, is something has been built or make cheaply and doesn't hold up. Of course it's been many, many years since you could buy a suitcase for two dollars. Funny how often it falls into a conversation these days, lol!

Re: Expressions!

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 04:27:13 GMT

@makena, yes, they are just expressions, but I do think words matter.

Re: Expressions!

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 04:40:15 GMT

@IdahoGram, my mom was the queen of expressions, but I must admit, I've never heard that one. But I'm going to be sure to sneak it into a conversation - lol!

Re: Expressions!

smoky22 — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 04:58:35 GMT

Good Grief is a euphemism for Good God or Good Lord and is usually an exclamation of irritation, frustration or surprise.

Re: Expressions!

DearPrudence — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 07:07:00 GMT

@Its Me LuLuBelle2wrote:
@makena, yes, they are just expressions, but I do think words matter.

You'll have to take that up with Charlie Brown.

Re: Expressions!

qualitygal — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 09:51:44 GMT

@DearPrudencewrote:
@Its Me LuLuBelle2wrote:
@makena, yes, they are just expressions, but I do think words matter.
You'll have to take that up with Charlie Brown.

My good grief comes from Charlie Brown. I read nothing into that. It was a cartoon.

Re: Expressions!

OKPrincess — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 11:31:23 GMT

I grew up with “goodness gracious” and use today. My great aunt who would be 117 favorite was “well I declare”.

Re: Expressions!

qualitygal — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 11:34:36 GMT

Goodness Gracious, great balls of fire. What was his name? Can't recall. I'll think of it later 3 part name I think. @OKPrincess

Re: Expressions!

OKPrincess — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 11:42:28 GMT

@qualitygalwrote:
Goodness Gracious, great balls of fire. What was his name? Can't recall. I'll think of it later 3 part name I think. @OKPrincess

Jerry Lee Lewis 🎹🎹🎹🎹🎶🎵

Re: Expressions!

LindaSal — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 13:05:30 GMT

I always use "How do like them apples"? It was my favorite line in Good Will Hunting, one of my favorite movies.

Re: Expressions!

Oznell — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 13:07:49 GMT

@OKPrincess, "I declare" is such a great expression-- I'd love to see it revived-- it has such a charming air of genteel surprise...

Speaking of words and phrases that seem to pass in and out of vogue, I also like the term "swell" for something that is terrific-- that lasted up to the mid-Twentieth century. My parents stil used the term swell. My boomer generation had "neat" and "cool".

I wonder when "rad" first came in, ha.

Re: Expressions!

OKPrincess — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 13:21:01 GMT

@Oznellwrote:
@OKPrincess, "I declare" is such a great expression-- I'd love to see it revived-- it has such a charming air of genteel surprise...

Speaking of words and phrases that seem to pass in and out of vogue, I also like the term "swell" for something that is terrific-- that lasted up to the mid-Twentieth century. My parents stil used the term swell. My boomer generation had "neat" and "cool".

I wonder when "rad" first came in, ha.

I think my brain is on hiatus— can’t remember what my parents used if anything. I do remember us kids weren’t allowed to say “darn” because it was the same as cursing. As far as “rad” I don’t remember when tha came about 🙂

Re: Expressions!

faeriemoon — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 13:24:18 GMT

I actually used the expression "lickety split" yesterday. It just sort of fell out of my mouth, and there I was, standing there thinking I sounded like I was 110 years old.

Re: Expressions!

Caaareful Shopper — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 13:32:44 GMT

@OKPrincess Growing up, we couldn'y say "darn" either, for the same reason -- too close to cursing. We also could not say the word "stupid" -- that was too harsh and ugly-mean, and was also on the cuss words list.

I had a babysitter who often said, "Wellsa!" It was a euphamism for well sir, and always meant as a declaration of sudden interest, usually in a good way, as in admiration for something. A job well done, or a fine outfit always got a Wellsa!

Re: Expressions!

sweetee2 — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 15:10:11 GMT

When we leave from where we are I always say "well let'

Re: Expressions!

sweetee2 — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 15:16:15 GMT

Sorry, my iPad jumping all over the place.

When we leave from where we are I always say " well let's blow this joint". My kids ask me Sat. why I say that and where it came from. I don't know. Do any of you know where it came from?

Re: Expressions!

occasionalrain — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 18:38:20 GMT

My family had an Irish maid who would say, "I gave it a lick and a promise". I liked it and have adopted it for my own.

My grandmother would refer to an overweight woman as fleshy, I didn't care for that one and I doubt the overweight woman would either. I haven't made that one my own.