Phrases or words slipping out of common parlance

[Deleted User 728]

John's use of "het up" in a post earlier got me thinking about terms that are slipping away from everyday usage.

One of my favourites is "herberts" or, down south, 'erberts to describe the full range of rascals and miscreants. I use it all the time when my cats jump up on the kitchen counters, but equally it could be cranked up to cover actual vandals damaging property.

Another that I don't hear anyone say anymore was something my mum said when asked the time :
"Five and twenty to five" instead of "four thirty five".
It's much more elegant and is similar to how the Germans tell the time : when it's half past, they don't refer to the hour just gone but - more accurately - the hour that it will be thirty minutes hence, because it is literally half of the hour of five rather than half past four.

Anyone got any more they miss or still defiantly use ??

[NottinghamWhite]

My dad used to say “ well I’ll go to the foot of stairs “ when something surprised him. Another of his sayings was “ his hairs the colour of rundy cum russet, the colour of a mouse fart.”

[kk white]

One that died away with my grandmothers generation was to use the word 'massive' to describe something that was very, very nice: "Oh Mary, you look massive in that dress."

Of course say that now and Mary would think she looked overweight

[ChilwellWhite]

Hanky panky
Mischievous behaviour, dishonest or shady activity. Also a term for sexual shenanigans.
Still makes me smile even today

[Deleted User 728]

rundy cum russet, the colour of a mouse fart.

That is brilliant !

"Oh Mary, you look massive in that dress."

Never heard that before.
Again, just fantastic

Hanky panky

You're right, this one is definitely under-utilised today.
Could either be used by an older woman on the prowl or by a very patronising police officer.
No doubt, sometimes by both at the same time

[Davycc]

I had a "gander" at the sports pages

He's a right "Skallywag".

[NottinghamWhite]

Another of dad’s sayings was “ off to see a man about a dog “ if he was going to the loo or something.

[NottinghamWhite]

Sue says her mother used to say “ every tub has its own bottom “

[johnh]

Response when someone is giving you verbals. 'Are you talkin' to me or chewin' a brick'. (Scouse jargon I think)

[Deleted User 728]

Response when someone is giving you verbals. 'Are you talkin' to me or chewin' a brick'. (Scouse jargon I think)

Yep, and it's the threat of the unsaid second sentence, isn't it ?


NW, that tub one - is it similar to "There's one born every minute ?" which my mum used whenever she had to deal with an idiot