Charming, old fashioned sayings

[randomer]

My IL used to say they couldn't "get on with " something like a cooker or a book.That used to make me smile.
My mother used to say " Oh I like you in that" meaning that suits you, another one which made me smile.

My grandma used to use ‘best butter’!

If something was rubbish she’d say ‘ooh it’s a parcel’

My grandparents used to refer to their living room as 'the house'. As in:

'Where's the newspaper?'
'In t'house.'

They had a dining/living room in the back with a tiny kitchenette, where their TV was and a 'front room' with better furniture, posh ornaments that was a sort of best room.

'No better than she ought to be'. . .

If you can't be good be careful
If you can't be careful, buy a Pram

Generally said by my aunt after asking if I were courting

LApperenti- both my nana had a "front room" with the good furniture and the nice doiles- the front room was only used for the vicar or the police. And, I assume, the queen had she had chance to pop in.

The rest of us were not good enough to be entertained in the front room, we had to go the back 😂

Oh, for the days when ladies wore frocks, like my mum. Who would also say 'that sky is as dark as the devil's nutting bag, better get the washing indoors before it rains'. And Front Rooms, as described, kept for special occasions and visitors. Not to be confused with a Back Kitchen - so called regardless of situation in house - where most everyday business would take place. And there was often a piano in a front room, bought at great expense and remaining polished but otherwise untouched until it passed to house clearance. Many pianos were disposed of in inventive ways in the 60s and 70s. I believe one was abandoned halfway up Ben Nevis and its remains are still there.

I remember older people describing someone as 'he's no goats's toe' to mean he's no fool. But I have no idea where the saying came from

I can recall 'best' butter, there was also 'best ham' which I assume was a predecessor of naice ham. Antimacassars on the backs of the chairs too.

Sayings I remember include:
All fur coat and no knickers, that one
Well you know what thought did
Don't come running to me if you break your leg
Don't look at me in that tone of voice
Worse things happen at sea (my favourite!)

If my mum talked about a costume as an outfit for her (or women in general) she would mean a tailored two-piece skirt and jacket.

‘Handsome is as handsome does’
‘Must have hidden talents’ (he’s popular with women for no apparent reason)
‘Thick as two short planks’
‘She’s improving’. (Pregnancy increasing, as in proving dough)

‘Don’t look at me in that tone of voice’ was Eric Morecambe’s line.

For an older person not wanting to spend money my Granny would say,
"shrouds don't have pockets" or " you can't take it with you"

I still thank of her now when I come across a tight ass !!

Not too sure any of these are old fashioned but I feel like I haven’t heard them in an age:

‘You get what you get and you don’t get upset’

I had one relative who used to add ‘with bells on’ to show enthusiasm... for e.g. she’d send love with bells on instead of lots of love.

I always loved it when someone said ‘a little birdie’ told them something.

So many..! I use them and people do face

You can get used to anything except a tight pair of clogs
You make a better door than a window
Standing there like piffy on a rock bun

I think your opening expressions are in common use OP. I hear both frequently ?

"nutting bag" is amazing. I also recall "costume"
Can't be bothered to argue about my choice of phrases, I haven't heard them for a while but oh well.

Someone I know says 'car wireless' and I love it! I prefer some of the older terms for things. As well as sayings. Language can be beautiful and we only use tiny bits as it evolves. I love the association with my lovely Gran and the things she said that are almost lost now. Regional terms too, that make sense in one place but are random nonsense anywhere else. A local festival here is the second Friday after the first Monday in June and EVERYONE here knows how and why..visitors think we are bonkers!

When thanking someone for service in a shop or on the telephone my dear Dad would say "much obliged" instead of thank you. He was such a gentleman.

My DM used to say 'it's all gone for a ball of chalk'. Now I say it and so does my 6 year old which is very funny 😆

Also, DMs parents always referred to previous homes by the door number ie "oh, that's when we lived at 163". Bless em

Most com efrom my dear late MIL

We're short of nothing we've got
The sun is over the yard arm somewhere (it was time for a sherry)
It's black over Bill's Mother's (referring to the weather)

My nan says that someone who is showy is "all fur coat and no knickers". I've picked up a rather quaint turn of phrase from an old colleague - instead of saying thank you, I've started saying "much obliged". Apparently it's quite common police parlance.

@MirandaMarple was your MIL from Warwickshire?

"Off with your head and on with the coconut " my grandma says when any of kids misbehaves or is cheeky

My grandmother had a few. My favourites were -

She came in like a ship in full sail. Of an overly fussy neighbour.

He couldn't lie straight in a coffin. About a less than honest acquaintance.

"As sure as eggs is eggs and God made little apples!"

I've no idea what it means but I love it!

@VienneseWhirligig over the border, Leicestershire.

My gran used to say A blind man would be glad to see it..