Whatzat mean? Word origins.

homoe · 06-28-2018, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cathexis

Fixing (fittin, fixen) verb

Primarily used in the South, a regional dialect. Fixing popularly means getting ready to. An example would be, " I'm fixing to go to the store." It doesn't indicate any time or urgency in keeping with the more leisurely pace of the traditional South.

This word's etymology is truly American or as it is called, "an Americanism."

Webster - paraphrasing defines it as to prepare or to set/place in the manner most desired.

Farmer, John "Americanisms - Old and New, "called fix the hardest worked word in the 'American language.'" Farmer also notes that fixed could mean ready.

OED - defines fixing as making preparations for in def. 14a and 14b.

I think a lot of idioms or expressions are regional! When I moved to Milwaukee, people would constantly say they were "going to go by" either someplace or someone which I soon found out meant they were actually going to that place of person NOT just going or driving by...

cathexis · 06-29-2018, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homoe

I think a lot of idioms or expressions are regional! When I moved to Milwaukee, people would constantly say they were "going to go by" either someplace or someone which I soon found out meant they were actually going to that place of person NOT just going or driving by...

In New Orleans it's "pass by." If a tourist hears that they get confused. They get the impression that you are going to walk or drive by their house when you are going to visit with the person. Another example of time being more fluid in the South. Growing up as the daughter of a true Southern lady, being up here in NY is a BIG adjustment. People seem to always be in a hurry no matter the reason. Once I got left behind by my Partner's family who were going to a town just to look around; because, I did not have my coat and boots on when my sister in law arrived.

homoe · 07-01-2018, 05:33 AM

Piss Poor / Doesn't Have A Pot To Piss In Nor A Window To Throw It Out Of...

A very poor person!

Origin: They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot. Once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery. If you had to do this to survive, you were 'piss poor.' But worse than that were the really poor folks, who couldn't even afford to buy a pot.

In medieval London, people did not have indoor plumbing. It was common to use a chamber pot as an indoor toilet. The chamber pot could then be dumped out a window into the street gutter below. A person who did not have a pot to piss in was poor indeed.

homoe · 07-01-2018, 05:38 AM

Green With Envy..............

The phrase ‘Green with Envy’ means to be very jealous, or envious of what someone has.

Origin: Before Shakespeare’s days, a pale (green) complexion was associated with fear, illness, and poor humor. The origin of the idiom 'green with envy' is believed to come directly from the great William Shakespeare himself.

homoe · 07-01-2018, 05:42 AM

Green Eyed-Monster...........

Jealousy personified.

Origin: The phrase comes from the Shakespeare play Othello. In Othello, Iago warns Othello: “Beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.”

homoe · 07-02-2018, 07:44 AM

How Do You Like Them Apples..........

A phrase used to draw attention to one's cleverness or superiority to the one being addressed, especially after a recent triumph.

Origin: I cannot find an authoritative source, but various sites on the web have it that the original "apple" was a mortar-fired bomb used during WW I.

homoe · 07-02-2018, 09:04 AM

Thin-skinned........

Sensitive to criticism or insults, easily bothered by criticism or insults : very sensitive.

07-01-2018, 05:33 AM	#3
homoe Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: ..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle Posts: 38,565 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 20,811 Thanked 33,548 Times in 14,914 Posts Rep Power: 21474889	Piss Poor / Doesn't Have A Pot To Piss In Nor A Window To Throw It Out Of... A very poor person! Origin: They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot. Once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery. If you had to do this to survive, you were 'piss poor.' But worse than that were the really poor folks, who couldn't even afford to buy a pot. In medieval London, people did not have indoor plumbing. It was common to use a chamber pot as an indoor toilet. The chamber pot could then be dumped out a window into the street gutter below. A person who did not have a pot to piss in was poor indeed.

07-01-2018, 05:38 AM	#4
homoe Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: ..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle Posts: 38,565 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 20,811 Thanked 33,548 Times in 14,914 Posts Rep Power: 21474889	Green With Envy.............. The phrase ‘Green with Envy’ means to be very jealous, or envious of what someone has. Origin: Before Shakespeare’s days, a pale (green) complexion was associated with fear, illness, and poor humor. The origin of the idiom 'green with envy' is believed to come directly from the great William Shakespeare himself.

07-01-2018, 05:42 AM	#5
homoe Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: ..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle Posts: 38,565 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 20,811 Thanked 33,548 Times in 14,914 Posts Rep Power: 21474889	Green Eyed-Monster........... Jealousy personified. Origin: The phrase comes from the Shakespeare play Othello. In Othello, Iago warns Othello: “Beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.”

07-02-2018, 07:44 AM	#6
homoe Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: ..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle Posts: 38,565 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 20,811 Thanked 33,548 Times in 14,914 Posts Rep Power: 21474889	How Do You Like Them Apples.......... A phrase used to draw attention to one's cleverness or superiority to the one being addressed, especially after a recent triumph. Origin: I cannot find an authoritative source, but various sites on the web have it that the original "apple" was a mortar-fired bomb used during WW I.

07-02-2018, 09:04 AM	#7
homoe Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: ..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle Posts: 38,565 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 20,811 Thanked 33,548 Times in 14,914 Posts Rep Power: 21474889	Thin-skinned........ Sensitive to criticism or insults, easily bothered by criticism or insults : very sensitive.