What does it really mean?

Post by **PeteC** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:27 pm

Probably a long overdue FOO category, but please be gentle concerning those that are British specific. Although, it probably would be educational.

Here goes. Meaning and ORIGIN would be nice:

1) Red Herring

2) The whole nine yards

3) Son of a gun (easy)

More later.

Pete

Post by **DawnHRD** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:27 pm

Can give you meaning, no probs, but origin as well? Over to you, Guess & Jaime...

Post by **PeteC** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:49 pm

DawnHHDRC wrote:Can give you meaning, no probs, but origin as well? Over to you, Guess & Jaime...

Approximate...British, American, Dutch....who else talks about Herrings?) whatever, no need for year but, we know most of these things come from the 1700 and 1800 hundreds. I think?

Pete

Post by **Limey711** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:50 pm

I am not 100% sure, but I think the term "the whole nine yards" refers to the length of a belt of ammunition, in the U.S.Army and "to give him the whole nine yards", would mean to expend the whole ammunition belt in one go.

Russ

Post by **Limey711** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:55 pm

Main Entry: red herring
Function: noun
1 : a herring cured by salting and slow smoking to a dark brown color
2 [from the practice of drawing a red herring across a trail to confuse hunting dogs] : something that distracts attention from the real issue

Post by **PeteC** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:13 pm

Limey711 wrote:Main Entry: red herring
Function: noun
1 : a herring cured by salting and slow smoking to a dark brown color
2 [from the practice of drawing a red herring across a trail to confuse hunting dogs] : something that distracts attention from the real issue

They must have been Dutch dogs.

(4) How about "Going Dutch"? Pete

Post by **PeteC** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:18 pm

Limey711 wrote:I am not 100% sure, but I think the term "the whole nine yards" refers to the length of a belt of ammunition, in the U.S.Army and "to give him the whole nine yards", would mean to expend the whole ammunition belt in one go.

Russ

Could be the American take-off. You know, we steal almost everything...LOL.

The definition I know actually comes from your Royal Navy, back long ago, when the Captain order full speed in a sailing ship, that meant for the crew to let down the spinnaker sail (or other terminology then).....which was exactly 9 yards in length (maybe width also, I don't know.) Pete

Post by **STEVE G** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:15 am

â€œThe whole nine yardsâ€

Post by **STEVE G** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:33 am

â€œson of a gunâ€

Post by **Sultry** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:55 am

prcscct wrote: (4) How about "Going Dutch"? Pete

I don't know for certain but I know that in Belgium, they have this stereotype that Dutch people are stingy/Scrooge-like characters. If they can save a buck, they will, so to speak.

So I'm guessing the saying 'Going Dutch' (meaning each person pays for themselves) might have originated from that stereotype.

Post by **Bamboo Grove** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 11:44 am

Approximate...British, American, Dutch....who else talks about Herrings?)

Khrm, we do, the Swedes do, the Norwegians do and I think, although not sure, the Danes and Islanders do. You've made me hungry now. Nothing's better on the morning after a night out than a piece or rye topped with some butter, boiled egg, herring and some dill.

Post by **PeteC** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 1:56 pm

Bamboo Grove wrote:
Approximate...British, American, Dutch....who else talks about Herrings?)
Khrm, we do, the Swedes do, the Norwegians do and I think, although not sure, the Danes and Islanders do. You've made me hungry now. Nothing's better on the morning after a night out than a piece or rye topped with some butter, boiled egg, herring and some dill.

Sorry BG, did not mean to exclude.

It's just that I attended a herring festival (twice) in Antwerp so I probably should have been saying Benelux instead of Dutch. As the festivities and beer flowed they had contests on who could swallow the most herring...whole

Kind of reminded me of a show at Marineworld.

Pete

Post by **PeteC** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 2:00 pm

Sultry wrote:
prcscct wrote: (4) How about "Going Dutch"? Pete
I don't know for certain but I know that in Belgium, they have this stereotype that Dutch people are stingy/Scrooge-like characters. If they can save a buck, they will, so to speak.

So I'm guessing the saying 'Going Dutch' (meaning each person pays for themselves) might have originated from that stereotype.

Yep, I think you're right, same meaning as 'Dutch treat'. Pete

Post by **PeteC** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 2:04 pm

How about knickers?

We know what it means but some confusion there. Earlier Dawn said "trousers". In the States I've heard it to mean underwear. 'Knick" is also USA slang for stealing. Stealing trousers?

Anyway, why the word for the meaning? Pete

JW · Post by JW » Mon Aug 21, 2006 2:30 pm

In the motor trade back in the UK, "Going Dutch" would simply mean that in the negotiations you would meet the customer half way. It would always be at the final closing of the deal.
If you were describing a second hand car to a trader and you said that the car had: Wind, Skin, Magic Feet and a Bidet - you would translate that to Air Con, Leather interior, Anti lock brakes and a rear wash wipe!