Cat got your tongue?

[*Anya*]

muckety-muck

I was going to write in another thread that my GF was home from another business trip. I was going to write that she was a muckety-muck in her company and then thought: where the heck did muckety-muck come from?

high muckamuck also high muckety-muck
n. Slang

An important, often overbearing person.

[From Chinook Jargon hayo makamak, plenty to eat.]

Word History: One might not immediately associate the word high muckamuck with fur traders and Native Americans, but it seems that English borrowed the term from Chinook Jargon, a pidgin language combining words from English, French, Nootka, Chinook, and the Salishan languages that was formerly used by them in the Pacific Northwest. In this language hayo makamak meant "plenty to eat" and is recorded in that sense in English contexts, the first one dated 1853, in which the phrase is spelled Hiou Muckamuck.

In 1856 we find the first recorded instance of the word meaning "pompous person, person of importance," in the Democratic State Journal published in Sacramento: "The professors the high 'Muck-a-Mucks' tried fusion, and produced confusion."

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

[Sweet Bliss]

frotting??? omg i need to look that up.

[C0LLETTE]

beyond the pale

The phrase "beyond the pale" dates back to the 14th century, when the part of Ireland that was under English rule was delineated by a boundary made of such stakes or fences, and known as the English Pale. To travel outside of that boundary, beyond the pale, was to leave behind all the rules and institutions of English society, which the English modestly considered synonymous with civilization itself.

Do I need to confess that I copy/pasted this? I just couldn't have explained it better lol

[Sweet Bliss]

Originally Posted by C0LLETTE

beyond the pale

The phrase "beyond the pale" dates back to the 14th century, when the part of Ireland that was under English rule was delineated by a boundary made of such stakes or fences, and known as the English Pale. To travel outside of that boundary, beyond the pale, was to leave behind all the rules and institutions of English society, which the English modestly considered synonymous with civilization itself.

Do I need to confess that I copy/pasted this? I just couldn't have explained it better lol

No of course. But I think the TOS asks that we also acknowledge our source to give credit where credit is due. So I guess if you just add your source it's okay.

I will check and make sure.

[C0LLETTE]

Originally Posted by Sweet Bliss

No of course. But I think the TOS asks that we also acknowledge our source to give credit where credit is due. So I guess if you just add your source it's okay.

I will check and make sure.

It was the Urban Dictionary though I'm ashamed to admit it cause so much of their stuff is just so icky.

[Sweet Bliss]

Originally Posted by C0LLETTE

It was the Urban Dictionary though I'm ashamed to admit it cause so much of their stuff is just so icky.

No Love it's fine.... I found it fascinating! !

No harm no foul.

[homoe]

OMG a idiom thread..........

I've found a new home to "hang my hat!"


To take up residence somewhere.

[Sweet Bliss]

Originally Posted by C0LLETTE

beyond the pale

The phrase "beyond the pale" dates back to the 14th century, when the part of Ireland that was under English rule was delineated by a boundary made of such stakes or fences, and known as the English Pale. To travel outside of that boundary, beyond the pale, was to leave behind all the rules and institutions of English society, which the English modestly considered synonymous with civilization itself.

Do I need to confess that I copy/pasted this? I just couldn't have explained it better lol

Forgot to mention that this is a wonderful bit of history. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[homoe]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

muckety-muck

I was going to write in another thread that my GF was home from another business trip. I was going to write that she was a muckety-muck in her company and then thought: where the heck did muckety-muck come from?

high muckamuck also high muckety-muck
n. Slang

An important, often overbearing person.

[From Chinook Jargon hayo makamak, plenty to eat.]

Word History: One might not immediately associate the word high muckamuck with fur traders and Native Americans, but it seems that English borrowed the term from Chinook Jargon, a pidgin language combining words from English, French, Nootka, Chinook, and the Salishan languages that was formerly used by them in the Pacific Northwest. In this language hayo makamak meant "plenty to eat" and is recorded in that sense in English contexts, the first one dated 1853, in which the phrase is spelled Hiou Muckamuck.

In 1856 we find the first recorded instance of the word meaning "pompous person, person of importance," in the Democratic State Journal published in Sacramento: "The professors the high 'Muck-a-Mucks' tried fusion, and produced confusion."

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

I had always thought it was mucky muck, but perhaps again it could be regional as many idioms tend to be!

[homoe]

"Lined Up Like Cord-wood"/Stacked Up Like Cord-wood



A vast amount of something!

Origin: In fall people who use primary wood stoves for heat will chop or buy cords of wood and then pile it neatly up for easy access. They tend to buy or chop vast amounts to carry them thru the cold weather season!

[homoe]

"Can Count On The Fingers Of One Hand & Have Plenty Of Fingers Left Over....



A phrase used to emphasize that something happens rarely. Something or some event that exists in very small numbers.

[homoe]

Tighten/ Loosen The Purse Strings......


To restrict (or increase) the amount of money available to be spent.

[homoe]

"Know Which Side Of One's Bread Is Buttered"...


To be aware of where your money comes from; to be loyal to the person or thing that will benefit you the most. To know who to be nice to or what to do in order to gain advantages for yourself.

[charley]

Originally Posted by homoe

"Know Which Side Of One's Bread Is Buttered"...

To be aware of where your money comes from; to be loyal to the person or thing that will benefit you the most. To know who to be nice to or what to do in order to gain advantages for yourself.

My cousin used to say that one must treat everyone the same; for myself, have always been the same with everyone (I think I may have gotten that understanding from my mom, not sure, don't remember). I distrust people who take sides... big red flag for me.