Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Get back you bastards, I'll break your legs (lighthearted)

88 replies

familiesarrggghhhhh · 15/12/2023 09:15

We've had a new CCTV system at work, very high tech, pictures amazing etc. The electrician was having a laugh and recorded said title - get back you bastards, I'll break you legs - this came on whenever someone passed a certain camera outside. Yes it's childish but it's christmas and we're all being very lighthearted.

We all found it highly amusing (I know it's the small things isn't it), but I was telling my DH and he just didn't get it.

Now DH is 9 years older than me, but from a very middle class background. I'm from a very working class background, we all went to parties at the working mens club, the WMC organised trips out to the seaside, about 10 buses went from one village. It was a mining village and my parents still live there.

So my question is (please its very lighthearted) what do you automatically think of when you read the title - are you oblivious or do you instantly know!

You don't have to comment on your background but if you are like me & DH does one of you know whilst the other one is clueless?

OP posts:
mrstea301 · 15/12/2023 09:20

Phoenix nights!!! 😂

rorret · 15/12/2023 09:21

I don't get it and I'd find that really not appropriate in a work environment. Sorry.

Cardiganwearer · 15/12/2023 09:22

It’s from Phoenix Nights isn’t it? Love that programme. Me and my sis and DH still quote it to each other. All fairly working class but it’s more whether you’re the right age and that’s your sense of humour I guess?

IsItOverYetAndCanIComeOutNow · 15/12/2023 09:23

Wouldn’t have / didn’t have a clue it was from a TV show - just assumed it was the electrician having a laugh.

PaulaPocket · 15/12/2023 09:26

Had to Google it. What has your 'class' got to do with (a) whether you watched Phoenix Nights - we did and loved it - and (b) whether you remember that particular gag (we don't, clearly)? We do remember (stair lift) what's that smell? (hand dryer) and then she was covered in piss! (student comedy night) why do all pensioners smell of piss? (Japanese beer promotion) eye joke. As for age I suppose you had to be at least sentient when it was on TV, but that covers a wide range, surely?

Megifer · 15/12/2023 09:26

🤣🤣🤣 brilliant. Someone at work was delivering a H&S course a few years ago and did it in the style of Keith Lard. Still remember it now. Some of the serious ones were very cats bum mouth about it 🤣

rorret · 15/12/2023 09:27

I'm working class by the way but I don't know what that has to do with whether or not I watched a particular TV programme that was on tele years ago.

LambriniBobinIsleworth · 15/12/2023 09:28

Phoenix Nights! I say this on average once a week. Normally to someone who is oblivious and thinks I'm mad. Working class childhood but southern.

BlazingWorld · 15/12/2023 09:30

I liked Phoenix Nights when I watched it but that isn't a phrase that stuck in my memory so I wouldn't have known that is where it was from, if that is where it's from. There are a few lines DH and I say to each other from PN but not that one. I don't know what class has to do with it but if you think it's relevant we both grew up working class on council estates.

Candleabra · 15/12/2023 09:32

Phoenix nights. Of course!
classic.
I do think you have to be of a certain age (and working class and northern) to really get the jokes in the show. Ive watched it with people from other areas of the country, and they really didn’t find it funny,

PaulaPocket · 15/12/2023 09:33

BlazingWorld · 15/12/2023 09:30

I liked Phoenix Nights when I watched it but that isn't a phrase that stuck in my memory so I wouldn't have known that is where it was from, if that is where it's from. There are a few lines DH and I say to each other from PN but not that one. I don't know what class has to do with it but if you think it's relevant we both grew up working class on council estates.

People on MN have some very weird ideas about class. My rule of thumb is that the higher up you are the less you bang on about it.

User1343 · 15/12/2023 09:34

I’m working class and have no idea what that phrase means. It’s inappropriate for a work context.

That said, even without knowing the context, I’d find it funny at a friend’s house (not work).

Sholkedabemus · 15/12/2023 09:34

Brilliant 😂😂😂

WhamBamThankU · 15/12/2023 09:35

Phoenix nights! Absolutely love it and am planning on watching it over Christmas

rorret · 15/12/2023 09:36

I really don't get it.

I'm autistic and it would upset me if that was shouted at me from cctv in work.

I'm surprised it's allowed in a work environment tbh.

Deathraystare · 15/12/2023 09:42

@familiesarrggghhhhh

I did not remember that from Phoenix nights but still thought it was funny!

Your days out sounded lovely!

Original poster
familiesarrggghhhhh · 15/12/2023 09:42

Of course it is Phoenix Nights 😂

Ok so here's the thing why I get it and my DH doesn't (apart from the fact he didn't watch it), we were part of the WMC's in the 80's and all those characters actually existed in one way or another. You can of course find it funny having never set foot in a WMC, but knowing that these people did actually exist in one form or another makes it funnier - in my opinion.

I did say that it was very lighthearted - @rorret I'm sorry if this has upset you but maybe you just unfollow this thread and don't give it another thought.

We are a very small company and it absolutely wouldn't have been done if it was going to upset anyone - it doesn't scream at people permanently, we just had it for when our staff were arriving in a morning. Everyone found it funny and got the reference - it's now been turned off 😇

OP posts:
crozzfit · 15/12/2023 09:44

And the answer to number thirteen is 'The shroud of Turin'. What did we have? 'Lisa Stansfield' Grin

rorret · 15/12/2023 09:44

I know you said it was lighthearted - but some people won't get it - and I honestly don't think it was appropriate for a work setting to have a cctv yelling swear words and threatening violence?

puncheur · 15/12/2023 09:45

Stranraer???!!!

Original poster
familiesarrggghhhhh · 15/12/2023 09:48

crozzfit · 15/12/2023 09:44

And the answer to number thirteen is 'The shroud of Turin'. What did we have? 'Lisa Stansfield' Grin

😂😂😂😂

Brilliant!! I'm going to have to get the DVD's or download and watch it this christmas

OP posts:
lf4 · 15/12/2023 09:48

Inflatable filth!!

OfMiceandWomen · 15/12/2023 09:49

My DH and I say this to each other 😂 Loved Phoenix Nights.
We regularly quote other things from the show. It was filmed not far from where we live my Dh is from this area and brought up in a working class environment. I’m from a different background but can enjoy the humour.

Girasoli · 15/12/2023 09:51

I hadn't heard that quote before and would definitely jump the first time I heard the CCTV talking!

OhChristmassTree · 15/12/2023 09:53

I'm working class but didn't get the reference because I've never watched Phoenix Nights.

I thought it was just a workman messing about. It would still make me laugh though.