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Slang Through the Ages: Decoding Our Parents' Weird Sayings
Manage episode 490792482 series 3418580
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Those strange sayings your parents repeated endlessly actually have fascinating origins. From "don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" (which connects to pre-indoor plumbing practices) to "being here with bells on" (showing up enthusiastically), each expression carries surprising historical context that reveals how our ancestors lived.
Frank returns to the podcast for a deep dive into the colorful language our elders passed down. The conversation uncovers fascinating geographic differences between Brooklyn phrases like "it's brick outside" and Southern expressions like "nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs," showing how regional culture shapes our linguistic inheritance.
The most entertaining segments explore the sarcastic gems we all recognize - being told you're "as sharp as a bowling ball" or "a few clowns short of a circus" delivered criticism wrapped in humor. The hosts examine how expressions like "if you're working in the house, take your hat off" trace back to practical concerns from the horse-and-buggy era when hats protected from dust on dirt roads.
Beyond the laughs, the discussion touches on something deeper: how these phrases formed a cultural bridge between generations. Many sayings were already outdated when our parents used them, yet they continued passing them down. There's something profound about realizing the expression "don't take any wooden nickels" connects us to ancestors who had to bite coins to test if they were counterfeit.
What saying did your parents repeat endlessly that you never understood? Share your experiences and follow us on YouTube and everywhere you find your podcasts!
Hosted by: Cottman, Crawford & The Jersey Guy
Contact us: [email protected]
Links & socials: https://linktr.ee/ccandnjguy
Chapters
1. Welcome Back Frank (00:00:00)
2. Exploring Old-time Sayings and Phrases (00:01:38)
3. Sarcastic Gems and Road Expressions (00:05:37)
4. Brooklyn vs Tennessee Expressions (00:13:42)
5. Superstitions and Weird Sayings (00:19:31)
6. Classic Comedy and Changing Times (00:27:18)
7. Farewell and Sign-off (00:41:37)
118 episodes
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