Wayne’s Words – WrookieSchU

Usually, Wayne’s Word is about one word, however, this time, I am doing things a little differently.

Over the past few months I have collected a numerous amount of sayings and expressions that I use without giving them a second thought. That is, until I use one around colleagues from different parts of the world and get the inevitable blank stare,

“What does that mean?”

It has made me realise just how strange some of our everyday sayings actually are. So, this time, rather than one word, here are a few of my favourite sayings and a look at just how bizarre they sound when you stop and think about them! Let me know if you have heard of any of these, if you use them or haven’t a clue what I am talking about!

1 – You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink
You can give someone every opportunity and all the advice they need, but you can’t force them to take it.

2 – A sandwich short of a picnic
A humorous way of saying someone is a little bit crazy, eccentric or perhaps not quite thinking straight.

3 – Through the mill
To have been through a difficult or challenging experience. If you’ve been through the mill, life has probably thrown a few things at you.

4 – A different kettle of fish
Something completely different from what you were talking about or dealing with. Basically, that’s another matter altogether.

5 – A watched kettle never boils
When you’re impatiently waiting for something to happen, it seems to take forever. The more you watch and wait, the slower time appears to move.

6 – Rome wasn’t built in a day
Great things take time. Don’t expect everything to be achieved overnight, patience and persistence are needed. This relates to me as we have just moved house this weekend and have to remember not to stress and just take our time with unpacking.

7 – There’s no pockets in shrouds
You can’t take your money and possessions with you when you die, so there’s little point spending your whole life accumulating wealth without enjoying it.

8 – You’d lose your head if it wasn’t screwed on
A playful way of describing someone who is very forgetful, absent-minded or always losing things.

9 – The bigger the Bible, the bigger the sin
A tongue-in-cheek saying suggesting that someone who makes a huge show of their religiousness may not necessarily be as virtuous as they appear.

10 – If I don’t see you through the week, I’ll see you through the window
A wonderfully Irish/Northern Irish farewell! It basically means if I don’t see you during the week, I’ll see you as you pass by, often said humorously when saying goodbye to someone. This reminds me of a great comedic show in the UK, Celebrity Juice from 2008 to 2022, when the host Keith Lemon would say this line as his closing farewell.

Usually, Wayne’s Word is about one word, however, this time, I am doing things a little differently.

“What does that mean?”

1 – Talk the leg off a stool
Someone who can talk… and talk… and talk. I’m not sure why the poor stool gets it!

2 – Getting on like a house on fire
Two people who get along exceptionally well. Slightly unfortunate imagery when you think about it. A house on fire isn’t generally regarded as a positive thing but it does happen extremely quickly.

3 – Flat as a pancake
Completely flat, although pancakes aren’t always that flat.

4 – Beating around the bush
Avoiding the point rather than getting straight to it.

5 – Too many cooks spoil the broth
Too many people trying to control the same thing can make a mess of it. A useful saying, particularly in kitchens, committees, group projects or dare I say, even a hospital.

6 – What’s your poison?
Usually an invitation to choose an alcoholic drink. A wonderfully dramatic way of asking someone what they would like, however, I find this funny as alcohol is literally a poison.

7 – Suckin’ diesel
Things are going well. You’re finally making progress. One of those expressions that sounds completely ridiculous if you’ve never heard it before (very Northern Irish).

8 – Fur coat, no knickers
Someone or something that looks impressive on the outside but lacks substance underneath. A wonderfully colourful expression and very difficult to explain without sounding slightly bizarre.

9 – Mutton dressed as lamb
Someone older trying to dress or behave much younger than they are. Perhaps not the kindest saying in the world, but certainly one that has survived the generations. I used to think it was someone trying to look better than they are, interesting I never thought about age but it makes sense.

10 – By the beard of the Prophet!
An expression of surprise or disbelief and considerably more interesting than simply saying, “Good grief!”

11 – You can’t bring the mountain to Mohammed
If someone won’t come to you, sometimes you have to go to them.

12 – You can’t fatten a thoroughbred
Some people simply don’t put on weight easily, no matter how much they eat. A phrase that sounds like it came straight from a stable. I used this a lot growing up when people would question why I was so skinny.

13 – Round the world for a shortcut
Taking an unnecessarily complicated route to achieve something that could have been done much more simply. A phrase that probably applies to most of us at some point.

14 – Is the Pope Catholic?
A sarcastic way of saying that something is obviously true. “Do you like chocolate?” “Is the Pope Catholic?” Well… yes.

Tag: Wayne’s Words

Wayne’s Words – Sayings part 2

Wayne’s Words – Sayings part 1