Unusual sayings

I heard it too when I was younger, rarely at all now.

I know that Callistemon. I don't imagine my grandmother did. In fact I didn't until I was in my late teens when I learned more history. She used it for somewhere that was dark or badly lit.

trisher

My gran used to say "It's like the Black Hole of Calcutta in here"
I don't think she realised it was a real place (and it's probably racist now)

I don't think it's racist but comparing somewhere to the actual Black Hole of Calcutta would be a huge understatement.

It means dark, crowded and suffocating. Many British died in there overnight.

When they were brushing my hair and pulled gran and mum both said "Pride feels no pain"

My gran used to say "It's like the Black Hole of Calcutta in here"
I don't think she realised it was a real place (and it's probably racist now)

My gran used to say " It were as black as the 'obs of 'ell in there...." It was when I got older I realised it was about the "hobs of Hell"! We also used to say , if it was hot: "I'm sweating cobs!" Not sure what the cobs were.....

The one that stick in my mind - Back to auld claes n porridge - generally after having to dress up for an occasion!

Describing a skinflint in Glasgow, and according to James Herriot in Yorkshire too, "If he gets haud a' a fiver by gey it's a prisoner in his pocket."

On being asked:
What something was -“ It’s a play hole for meddlers.”
What something cost - “Money and fair words, and your impudence to ask”.
On not finishing food - “Eat it against you do want it”

Another of my mum’s

‘You know what thought did… followed a muck cart and thought it were a wedding’

One of my mum’s which I love

‘Tha must think I’ve fell off a flittin’

(Or you must think I’m stupid )

And the next part of ‘this won’t buy the baby a new bonnet’…. ‘or mend it’s old one’

lemon I remember "Corporation pop". Funny how Corporations are now Councils as well.

We weren't allowed to use my grandad's expression for when he was hungry. My mum thought it was too disgusting.
"I could eat a scabby 'orse between two flagstones"

My grandmother always used to say
"No good comes of tomfoolery" if we were being silly

lemongrove

A glass of Corporation pop ( water)

How long is it since anyone has heard or used themselves, any of the old sayings that used to be commonplace? They will die out ( if they haven’t already done so.)

I offered a DGD some Corporation pop not long ago and she was really excited!
Until she realised ?

I try to use an old saying every day.
I think it would/will be a terrible pity for them to be forgotten.

A glass of Corporation pop ( water)

How long is it since anyone has heard or used themselves, any of the old sayings that used to be commonplace? They will die out ( if they haven’t already done so.)

My mum who had a great sense of humour would look as if she was catching invisible things in mid air. When I asked her what she was doing she would say, “I’m trying to catch poomings!”
What’s a pooming?
I don’t know. I haven’t caught one yet.

We used to go to 'Stopatome'.

A frequent holiday destination in my youth was 'Windowview' in other words, staying at home.

In the same way that San Fairy Ann came from the French Ca ne fait rein, I think calling something Ann Twacky as they do in Merseyside for something old fashioned, must come from the word Antique?

'Two sandwiches short of a picnic' for someone not all there.

'Well they won't spoil another couple' - usually said when looking at the wedding announcements in the local rag for a plain/ugly pair.

'Here's your hat where's your hurry?' said if you appear to be hurrying someone out of your house.

Where are you going on holiday? 'I'm going to Rome - roam around me back yard!'

Back o' Bill's mother's to see Mary.
To see a man about a dog
There and back to see how far it is (an' if that's not far enough I'll go a bit further)- No wonder we never asked where anyone was going!

Me belly thinks me throat's cut- I'm very hungry
Windmill pie- if it'll go round- What's for tea?

3dognight

A work mate used to say-
‘Like a dying duck in a thunderstorm’

I can’t remember in what context it was used unfortunately.

My mum used this 3dognight to describe someone who looked a bit dishevelled and miserable.

I thought I'd better find a few from Euripedes so that he didn't feel left out:

A bad beginning makes a bad ending.

In case of dissension, never dare to judge till you've heard the other side.

Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.

Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad

Silence is true wisdom's best reply.

Thanks for the correction, Aldom