We don't hear enough "old sayings" these days do we(?)

grahamg

grahamg

Old codger
Location
South of Manchester, UK
In my upbringing I heard many "old sayings" being used, mainly by both my parents obviously, (you may have noticed :)! ), but not exclusively by them.

I believe we don't hear so many old sayings generally these days, perhaps woven into tv soap shows story lines, or on other programmes, but even more than this, I don't think we hear enough during general discourse, (or I don't seem to anyway).

I'm not sure what can be done about it, should you agree there are not so many old sayings doing the rounds, nor whether you agree it would be a good thing to hear more, or that it would be a good thing for young people to hear more, (in order that they be exposed to the wisdom and humour, old sayings attempt to impart)?
 

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It's just a speculative guess, but it could be we don't hear old sayings because popular TV shows are sold around the world. Idioms like: "A nod is as good as a wink. Or, a turn up for the books," leaves other English speaking countries confused. They might also have trouble with: "Why would he want to see a man about a dog?"
 
That "going to see a man about a dog" one, always amuses and bemuses doesn't it.

My mums face when my dad used it quite often was a picture, she wasn't about to swallow the lack of a straight answer to her question meaning anything other than he was off to the pub, (or an alcoholic drink at a bar for our US cousins :) !).
 

I would love to hear some of the old sayings again but I doubt the younger generation would have any idea what they meant.
I'm not so sure that my family didn't make up some on their own.
When we had company back in the 50s people use to sit around the kitchen table and talk for awhile, finally the women would start gathering up the dishes and my dad would say to the men, lets take a soft seat.
Meaning, lets go into the parlor and sit in a softer more comfortable chair.
What I wouldn't do to hear him say that one more time.
 
Llynn said:
1). It's raining hard enough to strangle a frog.
2). Pull up a stump. have a seat
3). You threw a good do on 'er. a reference to a successful repair job...usually mechanical.
4). That ain't no high step for a high steppin' man. No problem
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One, two and four, combine humour and insight in a satisfying manner, number three bemuses me completely so "wins on bemusement hands down" ("BUT", there's always a but, that should become my own saying!), not sure about the insight quotient (?) :)
 
Hubby was complaining about a sore ear ( his excuse for not wearing his hearing aids )
He asked if I had any cotton buds I said yes but you know your not suppose to put “anything smaller than your elbow in your ears” don’t you? he’d never heard of that saying before
 
Kadee46 said:
Hubby was complaining about a sore ear ( his excuse for not wearing his hearing aids )
He asked if I had any cotton buds I said yes but you know your not suppose to put “anything smaller than your elbow in your ears” don’t you? he’d never heard of that saying before
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No, and without his hearing aids, I don't reckon he heard it this time either. 😁
 
Nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
Pour the snoose to it. logging term for speed up.
Goin' forward on the haulback line.another logging term meaning disorganization.
 
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