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Phrases we don't use anymore

August 13, 2014
Editor:
Dave Uphoff
I thought it might be interesting to list phrases you seldom hear anymore. While the younger generation may find the phrases corny, it should bring back memories to our senior citizens. This list was compiled from a session with several other members of my generation and is by no means complete. In fact we came up with so many that the list will be spread out over several editorials. Anyone who can remember other seldom used phrases, please let us know.

Huba Huba - Usually used in conjunction with a whistle to let someone know they are special.
Much obliged - This was used in place of thank you.
Toot your own horn - Brag about yourself.
In a pickle - Get yourself in trouble like "he is really in a pickle".
Necking - What teen-ager lovers used to do in movie theaters or cars, namely hold each other closely with heads together.
Top drawer - Meaning something of high quality or being the best.
Cut his own throat - Doing something that is going to backfire on you or hurt yourself.
Cut off your nose to spite your face - Needlessly self-destructive over-reaction to a problem.
Shot himself in the foot - To do or say something stupid that causes you problems.
Over the hill - Someone who has seen their better days, no longer relevant.
Pull yourself up by your bootstraps - Take charge of a situation and do something to help yourself.
Bunch of malarkey - Telling a tall tale or telling a story no one believes. "That is a bunch of malarkey."
None of your bees wax - None of your business.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it - Used after stating something surprising or undesirable to emphasize the truth.
How do you like them apples? - Used to refute an argument or an expression used after delivering surprising information.


Don't bite the hand that feeds you - Don't make trouble with someone who you depend on.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth - Don't question or wonder why someone gave you something.
Beggars can't be choosers - When in need of help, one cannot dictate how that help is given.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink - People, like horses, will only do what they have a mind to do.
Tall drink of water - Reference to a very tall person.
High water pants - Someone who wears their pants real high from their shoes.
Whenever it rains, it pours - When things go wrong, a lot of things go wrong at the same time.
Behind every cloud is a silver lining - There is always something good in a bad situation.
Put on your thinking cap - Try to come up with a solution to a problem - think it out.
Go over with a fine tooth comb - Inspect something very thoroughly.
Take a long walk off a short pier - Telling someone to get lost or go away.
A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush - It is better to have an opportunity that is certain than having one that is worth more but is not so certain.
Get your head out of the sand - Unwilling to recognize or acknowledge a problem or situation.
Snake in the grass - Someone who is sneaky and cannot be trusted and can strike at any time.
On the lam - Someone running away from the law.
Send him up the river - Send him to prison.
A real pipperoo - Someone really special or unique. "She's a real pipperoo".
Don't take any wooden nickels - Don't be conned or fooled by someone.

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