Some old school sayings were pretty weird but did a brilliant job of getting the point across, and here are fourteen that deserve a comeback.Â
Sow’s Ear
Here’s a saying that’s been around since the 1500s. The meaning behind ‘You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear’ is relatively straightforward. It means you can’t make trash into something valuable by trying harder.
It’s a saying that deserves a comeback because of the mental image it generates. Honestly, it’s pretty ridiculous. But saying it feels a lot better than, ‘it won’t work,’ and it’s sure to stick with the other person.Â
Fit to be tied
Saying, ‘I’m fit to be tied’ sure is dramatic. That’s the whole point of it. It’s a great way of showing that you’re seriously annoyed about something. Best of all, it’s not too serious, either, and pretty easy to understand.
You can practically imagine someone being so agitated that they need to be restrained. It’s also much more interesting than, ‘I’m mad.’ What’s not to like?
Feathers and birdsÂ
Another old saying is, ‘Fine feathers make fine birds.’ It’s one that shows that people have always been the same. We judge others based on their appearance, especially their clothes.
You’d think the saying was polite at first. However, the meaning’s a little harsher than that.
We can still learn something from it, though. Dress well, and people will treat you better. Surely that’s a message everyone can get behind?
Beggars with horses
The meaning behind ‘If wishes were horses, beggars would ride’ hasn’t really changed over the years. Unfortunately, the saying itself has fallen out of fashion. It’s essentially telling us that just wishing for something won’t get it.
We can wish all day long, but that’s no guarantee it’ll get us anywhere. That’s a message that’s still important today. Really, we should take action to make our dreams come true. Dreaming about them does nothing.
Monkey’s uncle
It’s a shame that we’ve stopped using, ‘Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.’ It’s a pretty funny way of showing you’re surprised. Apparently, it’s connected to people’s first reactions to Darwin’s theory of evolution.
They joked about humans being related to apes because it didn’t seem possible. It’s unclear if that was the original meaning. Still, the saying’s one you could use when something unexpected happens, and you want to keep things light. It’s way more interesting than a boring, ‘Wow.’
Berries are beautiful
Want to talk about something being attractive or impressive? Then look no further than ‘that’s the berries.’ It’s a saying that was quite popular during the early 20th century in America. Sadly, you probably won’t hear it today.
What makes the saying work is that it doesn’t try too hard. Sure, you could say something’s ‘amazing’ or ‘cool.’ But those sayings are overused. Saying ‘that’s the berries’ is guaranteed to shake up the conversation a little bit.
A real tomato
That’s not all for 20th-century American slang. ‘She’s a real tomato’ is another one from that time. You probably can’t guess what it means. Interestingly enough, people used it to talk about an attractive woman, and that makes the phrase sound rather dated.
You’d hardly be complimenting a woman if you called her a ‘tomato’ today. But perhaps we should bring it back. After all, it’s definitely something that she’ll remember hearing.
No more guff
Time-wasters have always been annoying. The saying, ‘Don’t take any guff from anyone,’ is proof of that. ‘Guff’ was a polite way of talking about nonsense or foolishness that someone’s been spouting. So, the saying is telling people not to tolerate that sort of behavior.
There’s so much ‘guff’ on social media that we could all do with this reminder. It’s quite direct. But it’s not aggressive. It’s the perfect, no-nonsense saying.
Color changing horse
Everyone’s experienced one of those moments when the whole conversation changes. You then realize that you weren’t even talking about the same thing. That’s when you could use, ‘that’s a horse of a different color.’
It’s a phrase that traces back to Shakespearean times. But it’s still good now. Simply say it, and everyone will get that they’re not on the same track anymore.
A talking hat
Yes, the saying ‘you’re talking through your hat’ is a little strange. But that’s why it’s such a cool phrase. It’s something to use when someone’s saying things that don’t make any sense. However, it’s more polite than telling them, ‘That doesn’t make sense.’
Hats have nothing to do with it, of course. Yet that’s what makes people remember it because it’s just so utterly random.Â
Acting like a maggot
There’s no denying that the saying, ‘You’re acting the maggot,’ is a little funny. It’s a phrase that comes from Irish English. All it means is that someone’s behaving in a silly or annoying way. In other words, they’re messing around. They shouldn’t be.
It’s a bit more playful than the standard, ‘stop fooling around.’ It’s also a little sharper. But it’s not as harsh, and that’s what makes it such a good saying.
No fish no fowl
There are times when something doesn’t fit. It’s during those times when ‘that’s neither fish nor fowl’ comes in handy. You can use it to address that awkward middle space, but without the long explanation.
People just get that you’re talking about something that doesn’t belong. It’s about time we brought that weirdness back to modern conversations.
Not how you were raisedÂ
Southerners have had their own kind of language for a while. Here’s one we should bring back. ‘Don’t get above your raising,’ tells you to stick to how you were raised. Yes, ‘raising’ in the traditional sense, like being brought up.
Nobody wants to be told they’re going beyond that. Maybe that’s why it’s a good way to make other people behave. It beats saying, ‘grow up,’ that’s for sure.
Switch it up
You’ll sound like someone from an old movie if you say, ‘I’ll be switched.’ That’s not necessarily a bad thing. ‘Switch’ comes from being hit with a switch, a once-common punishment. It doesn’t seem that angry.
In fact, it’ll probably make you sound a little classier. Talking about ‘switches’ is better than cussing or using other bad words, so that’s why we should bring this one back.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
