The origin of some common phrases & gestures

[Tahuyaman]

Where did the term katie bar the door come from?


Katy bar the door is an exclamation that means watch out, trouble is on its way. It is an American phrase, usually heard in the southern United States. The exact origin is unknown. One possible source of the phrase Katy bar the door is a Scottish ballad called Get Up and Bar the Doorpublished in 1776.

[Standing Wolf]

I never heard it used in the Army. There's probably a valid reason it's exclusive to the Navy.

Apparently, at least according to the Urban Dictionary, it's used by civilians, too...though, as I said, in the military is the only place I personally ever heard it.

[Tahuyaman]

Apparently, at least according to the Urban Dictionary, it's used by civilians, too...though, as I said, in the military is the only place I personally ever heard it.

I never heard of it until you brought it up here.

[Retirednsmilin308]

I once read that this one came from the period when adultry or unwedded sex was a crime and punished by putting them in a pillory. Their crime would be posted. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.

That sounds equally plausible.
....and a really stupid law.

[Retirednsmilin308]

RNS, I'm sure when you were in the Navy you heard someone express disbelief by saying, "Ah, your ass hurts". It's actually in the Urban Dictionary, but I've never met a civilian who said they'd ever heard it. Don't know whether or not it's a common expression in the other Services. I have no idea where it might have come from.

I don't think I remember hearing that expression.
The one I heard most commonly in the Navy was a dare.
When you saw a shipmate about to do something or talking about doing something, we told them...

" There ain't a hair on your ass "

Meaning they are not a man until they do it.

Naval version of " double dog dare ya ".

[Retirednsmilin308]

Just pulling your chain....comes from miners deep down under the ground. When they had to go potty there was a specific sealed cart down there to use with a hatch on top. You climbed up on top, opened the hatch, and did your business. To keep it from rolling away, there was a chain you could lay across one of the wheels. They would pick on each other sometimes by removing the chain and giving the new guy a ride down the rails for a bit, ass out, as he tried to hang on.

[Standing Wolf]

Just pulling your chain....comes from miners deep down under the ground. When they had to go potty there was a specific sealed cart down there to use with a hatch on top. You climbed up on top, opened the hatch, and did your business. To keep it from rolling away, there was a chain you could lay across one of the wheels. They would pick on each other sometimes by removing the chain and giving the new guy a ride down the rails for a bit, ass out, as he tried to hang on.

I would think a simpler explanation for "pulling your chain" would be that you're intentionally provoking somebody, like you'd provoke a chained animal by pulling on its chain. Kind of like "poking the bear".

[Tahuyaman]

https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/index.html

[Retirednsmilin308]

I would think a simpler explanation for "pulling your chain" would be that you're intentionally provoking somebody, like you'd provoke a chained animal by pulling on its chain. Kind of like "poking the bear".

I saw what you did there... +3 points.

...or like provoking (poking) an extremist of whom is already pretty much a few grapes short of a full fruit salad anyway?

Now you & I would never do such a thing, would we.
No need to answer (wink).

[Retirednsmilin308]

https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/index.html

No links, please. Just say it. We are all friends here.

We have to learn to discuss a topic without posting links to what someone else said.

What say YOU...

There is no right or wrong. Just say what you have heard.

It would have been a pretty worthless thread if all I did was post a link to the subject and hoped everyone dodged all the pop-ups and adware to see it.

This is a " just say it " thread.

So...what have you heard?