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jca2's avatar

What are some sayings or phrases that your parents and grandparents used to say, that you remember fondly?

Asked by jca2 (16732points) October 8th, 2021

My grandmother used to say things like, when she was talking about something happening quickly, that it would happen “faster than you can say Jack Robinson.” She would also say “faster than two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”

She was of Czech descent, and she used to say “What do you think, my name is Fink, and I press pants for nothing?”

I know this question has been asked here on Fluther in the past, but not recently. What phrases or sayings did your parents say, or did your grandparents say, that you remember fondly?

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17 Answers

LuckyGuy's avatar

My Dad used to say: “Only a fool argues with a fool. Don’t be a fool.”
It is thought provoking.

Now, about that magnetic vaccine….

Forever_Free's avatar

My Father would say “keep your name clean, it’s the only one you’ve got”

Nomore_lockout's avatar

My paw paw used to tell me that you can catch a bird by putting salt on his tail. And he always told me when I take a bath, be sure and wash where the Indian shot me (belly button). He had another saying too, when my finger nails were dirty, he’d say let’s trim those up, you have a lot of real estate under those nails. And my dad used to say, you’re a chip off the old block. Good memories, great question : )

Brian1946's avatar

“Don’t drink that, because it’ll kill you.”

Actually, CW only had to say that once to me, so it didn’t really become a saying. :p

elbanditoroso's avatar

“Don’t hit your sister!”

flutherother's avatar

My grandmother used to say the following:

“Auld age disnae come its lane” meaning old age doesn’t come without health problems.

“A gaen fits aye getting” was another one meaning if you don’t try you won’t get anything.

“Whit’s fur ye’ll no go bye ye” meaning don’t worry if you will get something or not as if you are meant to get it you will get it which contradicts the previous one somewhat.

“Beggars can’t be choosers” meant you should be grateful for what you have got and not complain.

“The mair I see o’ some folk the better I like my dog” is self explanatory.

janbb's avatar

@flutherother You could be the next Sean Connery!

flutherother's avatar

I think Sean Connery was one of a kind – like my grandmother.

Tropical_Willie's avatar

If fishes were wishes there would not room in the sea.

rebbel's avatar

First save the money, then buy the thing.
Not the other way around.

Which is what I live by.

Dutchess_III's avatar

I never knew either set.

smudges's avatar

I don’t know how to properly spell it, so I’ll write it phonetically:

Setzin your patookie. Supposedly it was German, and I probably mangled it, meaning “sit in your seat”.

@rebbel My folks lived by that, too. The only thing they didn’t pay cash for was when they’d have a house built.

@Dutchess_III Awww I’m sorry. That makes me sad. :`(

smudges's avatar

It’s not a saying, but something I still sing now and then is:

Mairzy doats and dozy doats
And liddle lamzy divey
A kiddley divey too, wouldn’t you?

Anyone remember that?

Dutchess_III's avatar

I remember it @smudges!
Mares eat oats and doe s eat oats and little lambs eat ivy…a kid’ll eat ivy too, wouldn’t you?

Dutchess_III's avatar

My dad said his mom would say “If at first you don’t succeed, keep on asuckin till you DO suck a seed.”

They were in Texas. If my dad ever said “fur” instead of “for” his mom would say “Cat fur for to make kitten britches.”

smudges's avatar

@Dutchess_III Thanks for the out-loud chuckle…“kitten britches”! :D

JLeslie's avatar

Several Yiddish words and phrases. Some are used commonly, but others I haven’t heard in years, and then I’ll hear someone say it and it reminds me of childhood.

Phonetically and translation:

Gut en Himmel – God in Heaven

Shluffen Kop – sleepy head

Gey shluffen – go to sleep

Stop kibitzing – stop talking about what others are doing, or also can be stop wasting time talking.

Are your tootsies cold? – Are your feet cold?

My aunt actually used Yiddish more than my grandparents (her parents).

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