Sayings that your parents (or grandparents) used but you don't hear anymore.

[Fizbosshoes]

Inspired by another poster explaining their username which was a saying, my parents (mainly my dad) seemed to have lots of sayings that I rarely hear any more . I'm sure I don't have as many that I say to my kids - ill have to ask them in 20 or 30 years! These were some I can remember (they probably said them in the 1980s/90s)

For someone being clumsy or making a meal of something they were like
-a bull in a China shop

• a bull at a gate
• a fart in a collander

If laughing at something they didn't think was funny

• you'd laugh to see a pudden (??) crawl

Describing a child who was very chatty

• they had more mouth than grub to put in it

Describing someone who was probably overweight

• they're built to last

Surprised at something

• Well I'll go to the foot of our stairs

If you wanted something you couldn't have

• if wishes were horses, beggars would ride
• beggars can't be choosers

If someone seemed to be lucky or get away with something

• if they fell in the sea, they wouldn't get wet.

And I can't remember in what context it was used but
-If grandma had wheels she'd be a bus.

I'm sure there were more but I can't think of them all . Does anyone else remember these or have other ones?

We're you born in a barn if you left the door open

Were

'Too many chiefs, not enough Indians'. My Dad always used that to describe the NHS. Another one he used 'not enough foot soldiers'.

Could not organise 'a piss up in a brewery'. If a person had all resources necessary but never got the job completed.

If we left lots of lights on 'Where do you think we are, Blackpool illuminations'?

If a person was overweight, 'Once around person X is like twice around Bampton Street'. A long street that looped around on itself.

'Your eyes are bigger than your belly' if you took lots of food but did not eat it.

Sitting there like Piffy on a rock bun (still don't know who Piffy is!)
She's all there with her lemon drops.

My gran used to say 'If it's for you it won't go bye you'.

My nan used to say "time to go up the wooden hill" at bedtime

Lots if these I still use/hear.

There's more ways of killing a cat than choking it with a lump cheese - that was my grandad.
He actually loved cats.

‘I’ll show my arse in the Co-op window’

But l would say that!

‘I’ll show my arse in the Co-op window’

I saw you explain this on another thread and I'd never heard the expression before, but it just reminded me of sayings my dad used to use.

I still use some of those...
DGM..'you'll get square eyes'..watching TV
'I'll begarra'..surprised
I'll probably think of some more

Ne er cast a clout till May is out

Many of these we still use. I live a good saying.

You’ll have it dark - if you’re taking too long to do something.

I’ll go to the foot of our stairs - being surprised.

I’ll add more later (cos I love a good saying).

So many sayings, born in a barn, put the wood in the hole (close the door) her dumplings will boil over (showing too much cleveage) Twister (conman) money burning a hole in your pocket, wear the oldens out first, fool and their money soon parted.

My DGM said "Ooh, go on with you" if you paid her a compliment.

It looks like Beirut in here for an untidy place after the time Beirut was a war zone.

Take a long walk off a short pier, go play in the fast lane of the the motorway. And others in the same vein

My Dad used to say sometimes:

"Oh dear, oh dear, what could be worse? A hungry belly and an empty purse!"

No idea why. I always start with "an empty belly" and then it goes wrong

He has short arms and deep pockets.

My gran, if someone was being mean with money : "There's no pockets in a shroud."

"Two heads are better than one, even if they're only sheep's heads"

"Where e'er you be let the wind roam free, church or chapel let it rattle"

"Bejesus begorrah"

Whenever I hear those phrases it reminds me of my Irish GM. Although she also used to call me a trollop as a form of endearment which I didn't find very endearing.

I still use the born in a barn one.

My Gran always used to refer to "spending a penny" if anyone needed to go to the toilet.

All fur coat and no knickers

A couple of my grandmother's:

"What's for tea?" "Two kicks at the cupboard door"

"Well, go to the foot of our stairs"

"Put wood in't hole"

@Fanofcrisps

All fur coat and no knickers

My DM used that one too. She'd also say things that were old fashioned or frumpy looked 'antwacky'.

'Are you courting anyone?'