Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Mumsnet classics

Relive the funniest, most unforgettable threads. For a daily dose of Mumsnet’s best bits, sign up for Mumsnet's daily newsletter.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

You daft apeth

416 replies

Kasterborous · 30/10/2013 08:50

No, not you but I heard this phrase yesterday and haven't heard it for ages. We used to say it when anyone had done something daft, but in a lighthearted way.

Another old favourite is 'crosspatch' as in 'don't be a crosspatch' when someone is being -well - cross.

OP posts:
Orangeanddemons · 03/11/2013 21:25

No, I've just looked it up. It is an old naval term, but it gave its name to chop sticks, as the Chinese seemed to eat so rapidly with them!

YerDaftApeth · 03/11/2013 21:41

Good at least it's a good meaning!

hoobypickypicky · 03/11/2013 21:51

I'm looking at you all a bit old fashioned at all these memories. BTW, my hands are filthy, as black as nookers knocker because I've been messing around from arsehole til breakfast time cleaning up.

I haven't a cat in hell's chance of getting anything done but, as my greatnan would have said, fiddlesticks to it ducks!

hoobypickypicky · 03/11/2013 21:52

Oh my giddy aunt, I'll go to the foot of my stairs if I haven't thought of another couple!

ILoveAFullFridge · 03/11/2013 21:57

Many of my friends' parents used to say "Who do you think we are? Rothschilds?" whenever kids left lights on or did other wasteful things.

GemmaTeller · 03/11/2013 21:59

DH says 'as black as newgates knocker'

GemmaTeller · 03/11/2013 22:00

I'm from oop north and DH from the east end, sometimes I come out with these phrases just to wind him up even after 20 years Grin

DownstairsMixUp · 03/11/2013 22:01

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Helliecopter · 03/11/2013 22:50

I use 'apeth' too, and mither Smile
I actually said "eh up" to someone the other day. Made me laugh at myself. Could I be any more northern?! Shock

YerDaftApeth · 03/11/2013 23:08

You could have said 'hows tha doin' as well to be more northern Wink

poii10 · 07/11/2013 13:36

In Manchester one of Lewises was a prostitute because the Ladies used to gather in the archade next to the shop.

FastWindow · 08/11/2013 16:33

Smack in the eye pie for dinner

Go and play on the M4

Go and count grass

All my charming dad's replies to childlike enquiry.

FastWindow · 08/11/2013 16:34

Smack in the eye pie for dinner

Go and play on the M4

Go and count grass

All my charming dad's replies to childlike enquiry.

FastWindow · 08/11/2013 16:34

Stupid phone! Sorry.

fanoftheinvisibleman · 08/11/2013 17:01

I still do use Daft Apeth. My mum used to call me Fanny Adams as a kid and db was Our Horace Confused.

Rare as rocking horse shit, gi the dog a bone, you look a right bobby dazzler and if thee had half a brain tha'd be dangerous - all these were used regular as well as loads of others on here. If I'm honest I still use loads of them.

I was in my mid 20's before I even realised mardy was a regional thing!

fanoftheinvisibleman · 08/11/2013 17:03

Oh and up thread I read as Na then being used as a greeting...I do that sometimes to. Na then..
How does? Or how ya diddling?

YerDaftApeth · 08/11/2013 19:25

Today I've called DD a Daft Apeth and a giddy kipper.

MERLYPUSS · 11/11/2013 12:04

Tied up like a sack of washing/ like a sack of shit tied ugly - untidy person
Well shit in a hat an punch it - I declare!
Done up like a dog's dinner/pussy's lunch - dressed up
More front than Woolworths - Cheeky person
In and out like a fiddler's elbow/ up and down like a whores drawers/ like a fart in a colander - can't sit still.
We use 'chews bread for our ducks'
Shit order - posh dress

YerDaftApeth · 11/11/2013 13:41

We used to say 'more front than Blackpool' rather than Woolworths but same meaning.

Hadn't heard about 'done up like a pussy's lunch' dogs dinner one I knew, might have to use it now!

mrspolkadotty · 11/11/2013 14:43

YY to daft apeth, born in a barn, mithering, ginnels, teacakes etc. East Lancashire here.

DH is always most confused when i tell the kids to "Get up them dancers" - Go up the stairs.

My Grandad's favourites include "Rough as a badgers arse (either feeling rough or describing someone as)" and "Well i'll show my arse at big lamp (suprised)" Hmm

Grandma - "Well i go t'back of our church" and "Yer pots for rags you are (daft)"

MrsDeVere · 11/11/2013 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ILoveAFullFridge · 12/11/2013 07:45

It's "born on a bus" in London Grin

saintmerryweather · 12/11/2013 08:51

if we were sulking we would get 'pick your chin up off the floor' usually followed by 'Appy Annie'. used to piss me off even more!

my mum used to say 'dink' as in 'you silly dink' (affectionately!)

ProfYaffle · 12/11/2013 09:11

'bobbins' is more a thing of little worth, so instead of being rubbish, something's bobbins.

I love Skrike (cry), apparently it comes from the Scandinavian for scream so probably came over with the vikings. I think it was the Killing Series One which ended with the killer saying "I heard her scream" really slowly and I recognised skrike (or something similar).

My Nan had a great turn of phrase. If one of us grandkids moaned that one of us had sweets and the others didn't she'd say "And if I give her a shitty stick would you want one an' all?", well no, but she's got a Wagon Wheel. Hmm

We also had 'How's yer belly for spots?' and 'Spotty Muldoon', no idea where that one came from.

Katinkia · 13/11/2013 16:36

'Stuck there like a shag on a rock'
That's one I've seen on Digitalspy and I immediately loved it. I've used a few times but I just get funny looks not unusual
Here in Hull people say 'chowing' to describe people arguing or making a fuss. That's how I've interpreted it anyway.
'Rough as a bears arse' is also one of my personal faves.