There have been many, many times that I have heard a cliché saying and not thought anything of it. At the time, but me being the occasional obsessive person that I am, started to wonder about the things we say. Are they really just a waste of breath, or as my parents sometimes said: “You’re just talking to hear yourself talk…” That one held me dumbfounded for quite a while.

 

         Not to say that I was some kind of idiot child, but the sheer wonderment of whether I really was interested in just hearing myself amazed me! Over time I have compiled a list of some of my favorites that have made me think on more than one occasion. If any of you have an explanation for any of these, please feel free to share.

 

·  Stupid is as stupid does:  I get the basic concept of this one, but what is the literal translation? Was there someone at one time actually named or referred to as Stupid? Because he/she sounds as though they did quite a bit to earn it.

·   Back and forth, all day long…: In order to go back, don’t you first have to go forth? Otherwise, where are you coming back from?

·   I was beside myself: I can’t find and explanation for this one anywhere. It sounds a little eerie after a while as if this was created by someone in an out-of-body experience. I have been in the position many times to say this, but refrained because I couldn’t say that I really believed in the saying.

 

         Here’s a short list of sayings that I hear, and actually know the meaning to:

 

· I’m going to “wet my whistle” at the bar: Appropriate for the scope of this magazine, tavern mugs used to have whistles in them. When you wanted more ale/beer, you would blow on the whistle and the bar maid would come and fill you up.

· Mind your P’s and Q’s: Again a tavern saying, meaning to mind your pints and quarts when in the bar so you know what you owe money for.

· I’m gonna go get bombed!: A bombard was a leather jug which held 8 pints/4quarts. A full one would definitely get you happy!

 

         Thanks for reading my rants and raves about the funny sayings I have noticed over the years. If you want to add to them, please send an email to: info@hawaiiwinelover.com. I’ll be sure to include it in an upcoming issue.

 

 

Cheers,

Ben