Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Phrases that hit the nail on the head

287 replies

Arlanymor · 14/11/2025 15:52

Having looked at the thread about phrases/words/terms that people hate - what about the ones that just feel spot on?

I heard this earlier today in relation to the modern obsession with celebrities doing crazy things for clout to keep themselves 'relevant' and in the spotlight...

"The attention economy".

Yes! Spot on! Great term for those who monetise meaningless content for maximum exposure on social media - behaviour that pays dividends in the attention economy.

OP posts:
BananaramaDefence · 18/11/2025 16:44

Graveyards are full of indispensable men - meaning no one is that indispensable

Worralorra · 18/11/2025 16:34

Haven’t rtft, so apologies if it’s already been written, but: “They’ve shown you who they are - believe them!”

Matsukaze · 18/11/2025 16:30

thenewaveragebear1983 · 14/11/2025 17:49

If you’ve been to Tenerife, she’s been to elevenerife

I love this, definitely going to use it

LaMarschallin · 18/11/2025 14:45

DiscontentedPig · 18/11/2025 11:21

I haven't laughed this hard since granny got her tit stuck in the mangle.

Laugh? I nearly bought a round!

Spypigeon · 18/11/2025 12:35

DiscontentedPig · 18/11/2025 11:21

I haven't laughed this hard since granny got her tit stuck in the mangle.

Fab.. I'll use that one in my interview tomorrow.

DiscontentedPig · 18/11/2025 11:21

I haven't laughed this hard since granny got her tit stuck in the mangle.

Cabinqueen · 18/11/2025 11:10

deeahgwitch · 16/11/2025 15:28

Love it ! 😂
I never heard it before.
What part of the country is it from ?

Show quote history

It's a reply to someone when they have done something foolish (i.e. there are wiser things than you, that eat grass). Only heard in Scotland so far...

senua · 16/11/2025 18:07

@Kingsleadhat
I've never been sure what [all fur coat and no knickers] means. Is it someone who looks rich but isn't because they can't afford pants? (ie putting on a good show) or is it someone who earned their fur coat by trading sexual favours? Or neither?
Not so much a good show but a false one. Outward appearance, with nothing to back it up.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 16/11/2025 17:40

Watching an old series of taskmaster last night, I heard “on it, like a rat up a kilt” and made immediate plans to incorporate it into my vocabulary

willitdoit · 16/11/2025 17:30

As much use as a clamp on a gondola

deeahgwitch · 16/11/2025 15:35

i haven’t read the whole thread so forgive me if it gas already been posted.
I saw it on Mumsnet and thought it was great - Don’t cross the ocean for someone who wouldn’t jump in a puddle for you.”

deeahgwitch · 16/11/2025 15:28

Cabinqueen · 14/11/2025 17:20

There's wiser that eat grass....

Love it ! 😂
I never heard it before.
What part of the country is it from ?

weecreep · 16/11/2025 15:24

“He’s going to to get a shut eye with a bang”, said about someone who’s about to get a big shock.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 16/11/2025 13:06

landlordhell · 16/11/2025 08:57

I’ve always understood it’s about lack of class.

Show quote history

Or those who act like something they're not, expensive homes with no heating.

"Fur coat and no knickers" is a class. 😆 awful.

@RatsAss love the Scottish Kipper/piano.

GameofPhones · 16/11/2025 13:01

It's something and nothing
Yorkshire corollary: It's neither nowt nor summat
Current: Meh (I think it means roughly the same?)

TheaBrandt1 · 16/11/2025 09:05

Not a saying but read on here “unless someone is actively plotting my death I have no wish to know what anyone else thinks of me”. As I age I really relate to that.

RatsAss · 16/11/2025 09:00

There’s a Scottish equivalent of fur coat… which is “she’s a’ kipper and piannie” (piano). I always thought it meant that they had a fancy front room with a piano but survived on kippers and other cheap food. In other words it’s all a front.

landlordhell · 16/11/2025 08:57

Kingsleadhat · 16/11/2025 08:53

I've never been sure what that means is it someone who looks rich but isn't because they can't afford pants? (ie putting on a good show) or is it someone who earned their fur coat by trading sexual favours? Or neither?

Show quote history

I’ve always understood it’s about lack of class.

Kingsleadhat · 16/11/2025 08:53

BadgernTheGarden · 14/11/2025 17:22

Fur coat and no knickers.

I've never been sure what that means is it someone who looks rich but isn't because they can't afford pants? (ie putting on a good show) or is it someone who earned their fur coat by trading sexual favours? Or neither?

landlordhell · 16/11/2025 08:50

A rich child often sits in a poor mother’s lap.
Danish proverb about the important things in childhood not costing anything.

ConnieHeart · 16/11/2025 08:50

What other people think of you is none of your business

If you're too self centred you don't see the big picture

landlordhell · 16/11/2025 08:47

dynamiccactus · 15/11/2025 18:21

If you are right, the person whose feelings are hurt needs to get over themselves and it's wise to learn that early.

You can of course be kind in your rightness.

Show quote history

It’s totally about being kind in your righteousness. As I said the chn knew what it was about and how it related to their dynamic at the time.

landlordhell · 16/11/2025 08:44

InMyOpenOnion · 15/11/2025 21:06

I like one my children use - NPC (non-playable character from gaming) to mean a person who lacks individuality or critical thinking. It's so apt.

That’s mainstream now.

TroysMammy · 15/11/2025 21:10

wantam · 14/11/2025 18:21

Ah, micturation, what a great word to use instead of urination. That might fox the Dr's receptionist if you don't want to say "I bloody well can't piss or urinate.... instead - I need to see the GP immediately as I am unable to Micturate!"

Show quote history

If you are unable to micturate then you need to go to A&E. A GP can't deal with urine retention.

Piglet89 · 15/11/2025 21:07

@InMyOpenOnioni know nothing about gaming but I love that.