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Original poster

Please tell me what ‘squeaky bum time’ means

43 replies

arcticfoxed · 12/12/2021 12:27

I have seen this mentioned and can never catch onto what it means.

I’ve tried searching and it was no help.

Please put me out of my misery…

OP posts:
Bwix · 12/12/2021 12:29

I clicked on this thread as I’ve heard the phrase a number of times but never quite known exactly the nuance. I know it sort of means ‘time to be worried’, but I don’t use it myself as I’m not sure on context

HoardingSamphireSaurus · 12/12/2021 12:29

Something scary.

Something that makes your bum clench, your whole body tense.

A more polite way of saying shit scared.

But basically doing something that scares you.

Nevertime · 12/12/2021 12:30

It means extreme nervousness. A suggestion that one might lose control of their bowels.

Not something I have ever said but seem to know quite a few people who do!

SpikeDearheart · 12/12/2021 12:30

I think it's when things are going a bit disastrously and you clench everything so hard that it squeaks Grin

Original poster
arcticfoxed · 12/12/2021 12:30

Thank you, thank you, this has been driving me crackers!

OP posts:
Haus1234 · 12/12/2021 12:31

Yes “time to be very worried”. I looked it up on Urban Dictionary and it was all sports metaphors which isn’t my thing, but I’m case it helps something like an important cup final, 85 mins, 2-2 draw.

HoardingSamphireSaurus · 12/12/2021 12:32

If you want a really crude mental image for it...

Something scary enough to turn your stomach to liquid. So a squeaky bum would mean you were desperately trying not to shit your pants.

mnp321 · 12/12/2021 12:33

In a work context, something like a client presentation that you know is crap and it's "squeaky bum time" in the hope you get away with it and no one notices.

HoardingSamphireSaurus · 12/12/2021 12:33

And no, I don't use any if them. But having lectured in sports have heard it a lot, usually about close run competitions.

Original poster
arcticfoxed · 12/12/2021 12:35

@HoardingSamphireSaurus

If you want a really crude mental image for it...

Something scary enough to turn your stomach to liquid. So a squeaky bum would mean you were desperately trying not to shit your pants.

See, this is why I couldn’t guess. Because even if I pictured this I wouldn’t have described this as ‘hmm, squeaky’!
OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 12/12/2021 12:36

I didn't think it was about shitting yourself. My understanding was that it was first generally used by an ex Man U manager for the crunch time in a game/competition when everyone is in the edge of their seats. In a football ground, the seats are normally made of plastic hence squeaky bum time.

midsomermurderess · 12/12/2021 12:43

I agree, the essence of it is to be on the edge of your seat, tense, anxious, willing something to go your way when it looks maybe it won't.

Jacaranda75 · 12/12/2021 12:45

I thought it meant being frugal! As in, “he’s so tight, his arse squeaks”.

Original poster
arcticfoxed · 12/12/2021 12:48

@midsomermurderess

I agree, the essence of it is to be on the edge of your seat, tense, anxious, willing something to go your way when it looks maybe it won't.
Now this makes sense to me
OP posts:
SickAndTiredAgain · 12/12/2021 12:48

The only time I’ve heard it used was by Matt Smith’s Dr Who, where it meant sort of “this could all go terribly wrong but fingers crossed we pull it out of the bag!”

DropYourSword · 12/12/2021 12:54

I always thought it was something being so worrying that even clenching everything wouldn’t stop a nervous little fart squeaking out!

christmaspombear · 12/12/2021 12:54

@Haus1234 it would be 88 mins and 1-0 - with the losing team peppering the goal rather than a draw at that time- winning team fans clenching on plastic seats to hold onto the lead... 🤣

MsThinksAlot · 12/12/2021 12:56

The only time I've heard this used was by JustineMumsnet, when the premium was about to be introduced, I think. IIRC.

Judging by the context, I thought it meant 'time to come clean' or 'time to bare it all/be completely honest with how things really are'.

The sports analogy also makes sense with how they said things were going at the time.

ditalini · 12/12/2021 12:59

I always assumed the squeak was a fart escaping from between your incredibly tightly clenched buttocks.

Justwhy123 · 12/12/2021 13:01

Usually used during a sports match when you’re on the edge of your seat!

RusholmeRuffian · 12/12/2021 13:06

It originated from a comment Alex Ferguson made referring to the tense title race between Man Utd and Arsenal

PerkingFaintly · 12/12/2021 13:08

@mynameiscalypso

I didn't think it was about shitting yourself. My understanding was that it was first generally used by an ex Man U manager for the crunch time in a game/competition when everyone is in the edge of their seats. In a football ground, the seats are normally made of plastic hence squeaky bum time.
Yes, I've always thought it meant crunch time, or the moment of truth.

Not just any old scary situation, but a critical moment where things might go either way. Sometimes about a difficult decision; a big fork in the path.

LBOCS2 · 12/12/2021 13:15

I would always describe it as bum clenchingly nerve inducing.

ItsSnowJokes · 12/12/2021 13:16

That moment when you are clenching while trying to stop yourself from shitting your pants.

So F1 today is squeaky bum time today as Hamilton and Verstappen are tied neck and neck for the championship so it's "squeaky bum time" for all involved.

mynameiscalypso · 12/12/2021 13:27

I think there's also a sense that it's something you're watching rather than something you're competing in personally.