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“It’ll See Me Out!”

(101 Posts)
Calendargirl Wed 12-Jan-22 13:16:25

On another thread, I have seen this quote, and another which says words to the effect ‘it’ll have to last for the rest of my life’.

My mum used to say this as she aged, about furniture, clothes, appliances.

I’m not yet 70, but often find myself thinking, “Well, this will see me out”.

Mind you, the way things don’t last like they used to, maybe not.

Allsorts Wed 12-Jan-22 16:29:03

Don’t harp back, look to the day or tomorrow, who knows how long anyone has. Even if I were 90 and wanted new carpet and furniture I would have them, I could enjoy them for over a decade.

M0nica Wed 12-Jan-22 16:32:04

A friend's mother said that when her DH retired about clothes etc. She also decided that she was retiring as well. No more cooking or cleaning - and she meant it. Her DH had to cook his own meals, she cooked her own and they got cleaners in.

This lady also decided at about 75. that the whole issue of owning a house and even having to think of her own meals was too much, so they moved into a care home. Two single rooms, kept their car, and lived there as elderly ladies in detective books used to live in residential hotels.

Redhead56 Wed 12-Jan-22 16:56:03

My mum used to say god willing all the time. Although she never voiced any belief in god or interest in religion.

Calistemon Wed 12-Jan-22 17:00:03

SueDonim

I’d never heard it before I came to live in Scotland. A friend of ours had been using the expression since he was in his 40’s. He and his dw bought new sofas and chairs, which she never liked in the first place, to ‘see them oot’.

Sadly, he developed dementia and went into a care home. Just about the first thing she did after that was buy new sofas and chairs!

My friend's Scottish Mum used to say this - certainly some of her furniture was excellent quality because it saw her oot and now we have a piece of it.
I wonder if it will see us oot?
?

Calistemon Wed 12-Jan-22 17:05:28

Baggs ?
And kittylester, we say it as a joke too.

Calistemon Wed 12-Jan-22 17:08:13

Redhead56

My mum used to say god willing all the time. Although she never voiced any belief in god or interest in religion.

Years ago I worked with someone who was in a wheelchair, whether from illness or an accident in WW2 I never knew.

I used to say "see you on Monday, Mr E" and he always answered "God willing". He wasn't morose or miserable, he was a lovely man and others might say "touch wood".

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 12-Jan-22 17:08:30

I say it as a joke too. I’m sure there was a character on television who said it and that’s where I picked it up.

Calistemon Wed 12-Jan-22 17:11:14

It sounds like something Victor Meldrew would say
?

SueDonim Wed 12-Jan-22 17:15:19

We might occasionally say if we’re spared when doing something that’s a bit challenging like getting the cat to the vet but it’s not something I am sincere about.

I remember buying new saucepans many years ago and someone commented they’d see me out. I must have been about 50yo at the time. I said ‘No fear of that, I’ll be getting new saucepans again in some years’ time if I want new ones!’ As it turned out, they weren’t a good purchase and I have bought replacements since. grin

My mum is 94 and she’s always planning for the future, though I think her concerns about replacing gas boilers by 2035 is maybe a bit unnecessary!

Grayling Wed 12-Jan-22 17:50:40

My granny alway said "if I'm spared and well" and my Mum after her. I haven't said it YET!! Definitely a Scottish thing!

rubysong Wed 12-Jan-22 21:18:41

Someone I used to know, whenever arrangement were made, never failed to say 'DV'. (Deo Volente, God willing.) 'See you on Thursday, DV.'

lemongrove Wed 12-Jan-22 21:43:49

My old Yorkshire relatives used this expression at times.
It wasn’t said jokingly or in any negative way either, it was said
With some smugness, as it denoted they had bought a very good quality item indeed and were proud of it ( and expected it to last a long time.)

Atqui Wed 12-Jan-22 21:53:12

These sayings were obv very popular in our parents generation !

ElaineI Wed 12-Jan-22 22:58:00

Grannmarie

My dear Dad used to say,

'There are nae pockets in a shroud',

meaning, spend your money on what gives you pleasure cos you can't take it with you.

We say, 'It'll see me oot' in a jokey fashion eg when I recently replaced the big kitchen appliances.

Love this Grannmarie. Your dear Dad was right.

Ali08 Thu 13-Jan-22 05:58:57

threexnanny

Some relatives in their 80's decided they wanted some new furniture as a joint Christmas gift. They were really upset by all the people who said it wasn't worth it at their age. It's their money and we've all spent so much more time indoors it's nice to have a change.

Good heavens, how rude of those people!!!
I hope your relatives went out and spent their money on what they wanted, something to keep them comfortable and maybe pretty, too, and enjoyed spending their money.
After all, I doubt they'd want to leave it to such nasty people, I sure wouldn't!!

LOUISA1523 Thu 13-Jan-22 09:55:09

I now say this at 57 .....I haven't bought new clothes for 2 years..... my 85 year old Mum however regularly buys new furniture...had a new kitchen last year...and spends much of her time in Home Sense buying all kinds

henetha Thu 13-Jan-22 10:01:37

It's a very depressing saying! I have found myself thinking it and then given myself a good telling off...

Sweetpeasue Thu 13-Jan-22 10:12:06

Initially I thought this a light harmless saying but I'm now changing my mind. I suppose it depends on the mindset of the person who's saying it.
I, m 65 and starting to feel like time is 'running out'. But you can't live like that can you?
No, don't like these expressions. Scary.

Grannmarie Thu 13-Jan-22 10:22:40

Elaine smile

Riggie Thu 13-Jan-22 11:21:46

My Mum used to say it a lot. "That'll seeme out"... well until next time she bought
Whatever it was !!

grannydarkhair Thu 13-Jan-22 11:22:22

I grew up (Scotland) listening to these expressions, they don’t bother me at all. Another common one is/was “ye’re a lang time deid”, when people are swithering whether they should do something, spend money, etc.

Juicylucy Thu 13-Jan-22 11:25:06

I’m with all the others that loathe the phrase, don’t like it, no need for it, and I won’t be saying it.

Grannyjacq1 Thu 13-Jan-22 11:31:42

My dad bought a new car when he was 70, thinking it would 'see him out'. Then 10 year later, at 80, when he was still safely driving, he replaced it with another new car to 'see him out'. He kept this until 3 months before he died, aged 96, and voluntarily gave up driving.

Growing0ldDisgracefully Thu 13-Jan-22 11:34:20

I have not heard of "if I'm spared" but do think in terms of something seeing me out where it is a bigger purchase, eg my car and motorcycle (bought when I was working some years ago) are intended to see me out, as the cost of a change to newer vehicles, especially electric vehicles is so prohibitive. We're living on my small private pension, have no money for large purchases or major upgrades or refurbishments, so in reality, pretty much the majority of our possessions will be seeing us out!

Nicaveron Thu 13-Jan-22 11:38:02

My Mum used to make me laugh. In her eighties she was shopping for new carpet. The salesman showed her a very nice wool-mix carpet in beige adding, “This carpet has a 15 year guarantee.”
Mum’s reply was hilarious, “Not sure I have that long.”
She did buy that one though because she liked the colour and always bought good quality.