Goodbye Paul Faulkner.

[Chris Smith]

Continuing the equine theme, my mate Tony used to say 'Shanks's pony'; I've no idea where that comes from.

I know this one.

I remember being on 'family match' coach trips with my old man's fishing club. Basically it was a few hours fishing and several more hours drinking with a pub meal thrown in. On the way back there was always a sing song and one of the regular tunes belted out was called "Strolling" which had a line "I'd rather Shanks' pony". Anyway before I get too misty eyed; I asked somebody what that meant and apparently it comes from an old word for part of the leg, "shank. So basically it means walking.

[hilts_coolerking]

I remember being on 'family match' coach trips with my old man's fishing club. Basically it was a few hours fishing and several more hours drinking with a pub meal thrown in. On the way back there was always a sing song and one of the regular tunes belted out was called "Strolling" which had a line "I'd rather Shanks' pony". Anyway before I get too misty eyed; I asked somebody what that meant and apparently it comes from an old word for part of the leg, "shank. So basically it means walking.

Yep, I'll buy that.

[hilts_coolerking]

Rhyming slang I believe.

Donkey's ears = years. So back in the day it was just 'such-and-such hasn't happened for donkeys'. The years bit seems to have superfluously been added back in comparatively recently.

Again, I think this is just a theory (like the candle one above) rather than a definite answer.

That makes sense - he's an East End boy.

[steamer]

Shanks pony, was a dead pony, therefore he had no pony, you walked !

[Diablo]

Never a fan of PF and I will be glad to not have to endure his corporate bullspeak again. I was however (like many others) really concerned with the timing of his announced departure. That was until this thread took a great turn for the better. Now I couldn't be happier as I now know where "7 years of bad luck" and "one for the road came" from. Goodbye Paul and thank you in particular for that!

Continuing on the theme. The only one I think I may know is the saying "touch wood". Which I believe came from the christian crosses that were originally made of wood that hung around their necks and that they would touch for comfort and guidance before (as an example) they were fed to the lions...

[DeKuip]

Back in the days when mirrors were comparatively expensive you'd have just one in the house if you were lucky, and chances are it would be a family heirloom. If you broke it a replacement would take on average seven years to save for.

I thought it went back to Roman times when they believed that the reflection was part of the soul and as it was believed that every cell in your body was renewed every seven years, a broken soul would take that long to be match fit again!

I am willing to accept that I'm barking up the wrong tree with that and bury the hatchet should anyone come up with further evidence, by hook or by crook.
Come on, let's not beat about the bush.

[ADVILLAFAN]

I heard where "You could freeze the brass balls off a monkey" came from, have a feeling I read it on a cereal packet.

[paul_e]

I heard where "You could freeze the brass balls off a monkey" came from, have a feeling I read it on a cereal packet.

If it's to do with Cannonballs and ships it's wrong - http://snopes.com/language/stories/brass.asp

There's loads of good ones on that site if you want to look.

[ADVILLAFAN]

I heard where "You could freeze the brass balls off a monkey" came from, have a feeling I read it on a cereal packet.

If it's to do with Cannonballs and ships it's wrong - http://snopes.com/language/stories/brass.asp

There's loads of good ones on that site if you want to look.

It was to do with cannonballs and ships and that the thing to put cannonballs on in a ship was called a monkey.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

[Damo70]

You're right Dave it is. 'Back to square one' comes from when the first football radio commentaries were on and the listener had a card of the pitch with different areas numbered, so a goal kick or when the keeper had it was ' back to square one'. Read it the other day in the excellent Martin Kelner book.

I have heard that story before too. I believe the cards were printed in the Radio Times magazine.

[paul_e]

You're right Dave it is. 'Back to square one' comes from when the first football radio commentaries were on and the listener had a card of the pitch with different areas numbered, so a goal kick or when the keeper had it was ' back to square one'. Read it the other day in the excellent Martin Kelner book.

I have heard that story before too. I believe the cards were printed in the Radio Times magazine.

This is also questionable - http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/back%20to%20square%20one.html

[adrenachrome]

Continuing the equine theme, my mate Tony used to say 'Shanks's pony'; I've no idea where that comes from.

I know this one.

I remember being on 'family match' coach trips with my old man's fishing club. Basically it was a few hours fishing and several more hours drinking with a pub meal thrown in. On the way back there was always a sing song and one of the regular tunes belted out was called "Strolling" which had a line "I'd rather Shanks' pony". Anyway before I get too misty eyed; I asked somebody what that meant and apparently it comes from an old word for part of the leg, "shank. So basically it means walking.

Used to be sung up The Holte in the late 60's with the words changed to "I'd rather shag a pony", would you believe.

[Dave Cooper please]

Continuing on the theme. The only one I think I may know is the saying "touch wood". Which I believe came from the christian crosses that were originally made of wood that hung around their necks and that they would touch for comfort and guidance before (as an example) they were fed to the lions...

Damn, I was convinced that this phrase came from fluffers in the porn industry.

[peter w]

Back in the days when mirrors were comparatively expensive you'd have just one in the house if you were lucky, and chances are it would be a family heirloom. If you broke it a replacement would take on average seven years to save for.

Hmmmm. Are you sure?

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080818025830AAov7I5

http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/news-wheredosuperstitionscomefrom/5/

http://www.wisegeek.org/why-is-it-considered-bad-luck-to-break-a-mirror.htm

[dave.woodhall]

Cosmic penance or a bloke in a pub in Tipton. I know who I believe.