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Original poster

...to think that this expresson is dying out?

441 replies

WalkDontWalk · 05/10/2025 14:25

On another thread someone used the expression 'taking the mick'. And I thought, 'I used to hear that all the time when I was a kid. But I rarely do now.'

So I started to think of others that my dad used but my kids don't.

'Having a kip' or 'I was akip'.

'Yikes' (My daughter says I'm the only non-cartoon that says 'yikes'.)

'Swinging the lead'

'Bunking off'. (Daughter: 'Never heard that. Sounds rude')

'Going Dutch' (Daughter. 'Nope. No idea. Is that rude too?')

'Haven't the foggiest.'

These were all in use in London fifty years ago. Maybe they were always regional.

OP posts:
PeaceReacher · 05/10/2025 17:38

GinToBegin · 05/10/2025 17:36

I remember hearing ‘hells bell’s and buckets of blood’ as a kid. Lovely imagery. 😆

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I heard that all the time (Durham granny)

Taking his sweet time about it - slowly

MagpiePi · 05/10/2025 17:36

Kevinbaconsrealwife · 05/10/2025 17:34

Itchy Chin or Chinny Reckon….east mids in the 80,s…..I still use it when I don’t believe something I’m told…..I’m that mature at 53 😉

Do you hold your hand about a foot away from your face and scratch your ‘chin’ and pronounce it as wreck-on?

GinToBegin · 05/10/2025 17:36

BunnyLake · 05/10/2025 17:26

🙄

I said hell’s bells recently and my son looked at me like I was mad.

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I remember hearing ‘hells bell’s and buckets of blood’ as a kid. Lovely imagery. 😆

PeaceReacher · 05/10/2025 17:36

ThatGlimmeringSea · 05/10/2025 17:02

Chinny reckon

Anyone mentioned Piffy yet?

Stood here like Piffy on a rock bun (North West)

I’ll do it dreckly (Cornish)

BeBluntPinkRobin · 05/10/2025 17:34

MagpiePi · 05/10/2025 17:33

I used to work with an old Irish, road building sub contractor who would talk about ‘a strong inch’ if the measurements were a bit out.

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Oh, you're just reminded me of something I say - something will just take "a wee minute"😄

MagpiePi · 05/10/2025 17:34

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 05/10/2025 17:33

That doesn't work with the meaning of it !😀

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It meant his flies were down.

Kevinbaconsrealwife · 05/10/2025 17:34

Itchy Chin or Chinny Reckon….east mids in the 80,s…..I still use it when I don’t believe something I’m told…..I’m that mature at 53 😉

MagpiePi · 05/10/2025 17:33

BeBluntPinkRobin · 05/10/2025 17:28

Oh I do like that, but wonder if I would look daft trying to introduce that to my repetoire? I never know whether to stay out of date or make an effort to modernise.

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I used to work with an old Irish, road building sub contractor who would talk about ‘a strong inch’ if the measurements were a bit out.

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 05/10/2025 17:33

MagpiePi · 05/10/2025 17:31

We used to say ‘you’ve got egg on your face’

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That doesn't work with the meaning of it !😀

MagpiePi · 05/10/2025 17:31

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 05/10/2025 17:24

"You've got egg on your tie" to a man.

Anyone (apart from me, obs) know what it means ?

We used to say ‘you’ve got egg on your face’

PeaceReacher · 05/10/2025 17:30

Elsvieta · 05/10/2025 16:41

I suspect "akip" is regional - never heard that.

I was having a kip/I need a kip is in everyday use here (North west)

WhereYouLeastExpect · 05/10/2025 17:30

UnctuousUnicorns · 05/10/2025 15:58

"Big Wow" was used in my quarters to indicate that one is somewhat underwhelmed, so the exact opposite.

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We said "big whoop".

BeBluntPinkRobin · 05/10/2025 17:28

stuffedpeppers · 05/10/2025 16:57

I do like the Gen Z expression as said by my teen the other day

-taking a fat minute

As in taking a while to do what needed doing, when I asked him why his room was not clean!

Oh I do like that, but wonder if I would look daft trying to introduce that to my repetoire? I never know whether to stay out of date or make an effort to modernise.

Swiftie1878 · 05/10/2025 17:28

WalkDontWalk · 05/10/2025 14:25

On another thread someone used the expression 'taking the mick'. And I thought, 'I used to hear that all the time when I was a kid. But I rarely do now.'

So I started to think of others that my dad used but my kids don't.

'Having a kip' or 'I was akip'.

'Yikes' (My daughter says I'm the only non-cartoon that says 'yikes'.)

'Swinging the lead'

'Bunking off'. (Daughter: 'Never heard that. Sounds rude')

'Going Dutch' (Daughter. 'Nope. No idea. Is that rude too?')

'Haven't the foggiest.'

These were all in use in London fifty years ago. Maybe they were always regional.

All still in strong use here! 😁

Itiswhysofew · 05/10/2025 17:27

BellyPork · 05/10/2025 16:56

My mum (Scottish origin) uses fair to middling. But doesn't that mean mediocre, not worthy of comment?

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It's generally used when someone's describing the status of their hangover🤢

PeaceReacher · 05/10/2025 17:27

PocketSand · 05/10/2025 16:38

When I lived in Manchester I had a boyfriend who referred to things as ‘bobbins’ and from his expression and tone understood he thought they were rubbish. My home town was only 15 miles away but this was a new one to me. Apparently originates from textile mills.

Still in use today (old textile towns)

UnctuousUnicorns · 05/10/2025 17:27

"Take a hike" = polite way of saying "Fuck off". We were more refined back then. 🙂

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 05/10/2025 17:27

UnctuousUnicorns · 05/10/2025 17:25

Very true! Although some of them catwalk models need to wear them - can see their drawers through them flimsy frocks a lot of the time! 😤 😅

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My Mum wore drawers, my Nan wore bloomers, my posh Aunt wore panties.

BunnyLake · 05/10/2025 17:26

mzpq · 05/10/2025 14:27

I think 'Taking the mick' is now considered offence, as in a slur against the Irish, isn't it?

🙄

I said hell’s bells recently and my son looked at me like I was mad.

Grumpymiddleagedwoman43 · 05/10/2025 17:26

'Done up to the Nines' - I said this to my husband this morning, and then we wondered where it came from and if anyone else ever uses it anymore!

UnctuousUnicorns · 05/10/2025 17:25

FirstNationsEnglish · 05/10/2025 17:21

😄Perhaps because it's rare to wear a lacy petticoat/slip these days?

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Very true! Although some of them catwalk models need to wear them - can see their drawers through them flimsy frocks a lot of the time! 😤 😅

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 05/10/2025 17:24

"You've got egg on your tie" to a man.

Anyone (apart from me, obs) know what it means ?

BeBluntPinkRobin · 05/10/2025 17:24

lifeonmars100 · 05/10/2025 17:15

"This won't get the baby a new bonnet", I mutter that to myself to try and make myself get on with stuff at home. Never heard anyone else say it that I can recall so I don't know where I got it from.

I said this to myself just the other day when I need to start working and really didn't feel up to it 😀 I've never even had a baby!

BellyPork · 05/10/2025 17:24

UnctuousUnicorns · 05/10/2025 17:17

@MaturingCheeseball we also used to say, "Alright, keep your wig on!" sometimes! I don't imagine he'd have been impressed by that either! 😅

Don't get your knickers in a twist, too.

BeBluntPinkRobin · 05/10/2025 17:23

Great thread.

Was thinking this the other day. How old-fashioned sounding I must be getting these days.

Let's see... I say yikes, you're having a laugh aren't you, flipping heck, etc.

I swear a lot too, but that's another issue.

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