Head down, a** up?

[Thisisthelaststraw]

Dh and I have been having a conversation with dd about studying for exams. She has not been applying herself so I was saying she needs to put down the phone and get working hard if she wants to see results. I used the phrase “head down, a** up” meaning get working hard and forget all distractions. I’ve heard it many times in my 40 years and that’s what it’s always meant.

When dd left the room dh said “you need to stop saying that”. I asked why and he informs me they’re the lyrics to a song with sexual meaning. I looked it up and it is.

I feel weird now as dd is 18 and probably knows this song and though I’m pretty sure she knows that’s not what I’m talking about it’s just left me feeling bothered.

AIBU to think this was actually a phrase that means exactly what I think long before it became a song with another meaning?

Used around here to mean hard work..such as potato picking
"Heads down arses up pick the tatties not the muck "
Loads of sayings easily turned into innuendos

It sounds sexual to me, but in masterched Australia they always say “head down, bum up”

Someone said it to me at Park Run today. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a proposition as she was talking about her husband running with their pram! (and baby).

You're not alone, op. I'd never heard the expression before but I wouldn't have thought it had sexual connotations. Now I do!

Oooh you rude lady, you ;).

I have always said “head down a**e up” meaning exactly as you meant it when talking to your daughter. My dad used to say it to me when he was talking to me about homework, school work revision etc.....

I've never heard the song and to me it means working hard specifically while cycling - "head down, arse up" means getting into an aero position, particularly when going downhill. The opposite of a sit-up-and-beg riding position.

I’ve heard that before and have used it myself. It means hard work.

The last time I said it I suddenly thought of what else to may confer and petered our half way through the sentence, lol

I've never heard that phrased used at all!
I don't know that song so I'm sure I'm not the only person about to Google it!
OP don't be surprised if she brings her mates over to revise with her now you've said that!

Another Aussie here who has been using this saying for years without being aware of any sexual connotation.

I, too, have been known to utter the phrase to my DD with regard to studying.

Roubd the North East its actually used more as a racist comment towards muslims or jewish praying. I have never heard it your way or in the sexual way before today.

I'm in the North East, I've never heard it as a racist slur. Ever.

I was just thinking that too!

Thanks for the laugh, OP! My dad used to say “head down, TAIL up!” as in you need to move it! Like a warthog on the run from something.. That’s just weird though, actually 😂

Just means hard work to me too - I'm 41- never heard a song about it. It was being used as a reference to hard work by my Gran, born 1920, in 1980 if it helps?

When my father was in basic training for WW2, they would get punished by being sent to pick up cigarette butts. The sergeant would shout: "Head down, ass up", if someone tried to take a break and stand up for a minute.
That is the origin of the expression in my family.

Why would you arse be up whilst studying though?

Oh my god I’m sorry but this is hilarious! It definitely has sexual meaning! I think you must have been very innocent the first time you heard it and the meaning went totally over your head!

The only song I know is one from the early 90s and the lyrics to that are "FACE down ass up". (Quite apart from the dreadful lyrics it is of no worth musically either)
"Head down, ass up" I am very familiar with as being related to working hard so don't feel bad OP. Just ignore those laughing at you.

I'm with elfinablender
I am from the North East and I have never heard it as a racist slur.
I know the saying was used in my family long before the song was ever around with regards to hard graft in the fields.

Start saying 'head down, eyes up' and pretend thats what you always said.

It's always been a sexual term I'm afraid, never meant what you think. But it can also be a quite racist insult used more recently towards religious people who kneel, head down as they pray. Such as Muslims. So I'd definitely avoid saying it.
Some teenagers were arrested near me not long ago for standing outside of a mosque drinking and shouting insults, this was one of the things they were chanting as the prayers were going on.

My Nan went through a short phase of calling people dildos, she thought it meant idiot so would say ‘stupid dildo’. My Dad had to tell her not to say it which was a very awkward conversation I have to say .

So glad to o see this post even if it’s from long ago, i too grew up with this expression and it was totally innocent, meaning get your head down and study. No sexual meaning at all, guess it’s one of those phrases that became something different over the years.

Maybes its an age thing. If someone said that me I would immediately think ‘that’s the way we to like….’. It was the response part of that song that we yelled out in clubs in my misspent youth. I’m 46. I’m surprised young people know that song but on its own it sounds sexual.

I know this is a zombie thread, but I laughed and laughed. So glad someone bumped this.