Examining some of those ‘useful’ phrases

Every era has its ubiquitous phrases, often used without knowing their origin or true meaning. As long as the phrase or word is used in the correct application the point is moot — sometimes mute, either version works — but I digress, or is it dye grass? Confusion reigns, or rains.

Let’s step back in time to the 18th century. Assuming “The  Scarlet Pimpernel” movie is a reliable source — and why would it not be? The movie is really old, as evidenced by the black-and-white format.  

Conversations from this era were interlaced with the phrases “Stap me!” and “Sink me!” This seems to refer to the realization that a sudden realization has been, er, realized. “Stap me” seems more to call one’s immediate attention to something while “sink me” is more of a punishment for not catching on soon enough.  

Examples: “Stap me if that ain’t the best puddin’ I ever et!” “Sink me if them waren’t prodigious vittles wot I missed!”

I am now forced to deal with the word “ain’t,” and then “prodigious,” both overused in 18th century parlance. My English teacher used to say “Ain’t ain’t a word.” It used to not be in the dictionary, but guess what? It has been in use since Pimp and his gang have been whisking would-be victims from under the blade of Madame Guillotine.

It seems to have been an upper-class affectation. I guess they were too busy powdering their wigs and picking out the lice to spend much time around the dictionary. Besides, they would have considered it a prodigious waste of time. Prodigious was the 18th century equivalent of “awesome.”

“You are completely dished,” courtesy of the recent 18th-century sailing movie, “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” served up by Russell Crowe in the role of Captain “Lucky” Jack Aubrey of His Majesty’s Navy.

I don’t know exactly where this comes from, so I will take a guess. I think it indicates a successful foolery that results in the victim being served up on a platter, much like a fish fooled by bait or your average homeowner buying aluminum siding.

“Tell it to the Marines” is an old expression. I am pretty sure this refers to British Marines because American Marines are nobody’s fool.

British sailors often made sport of their Marines. British Marines recruited from the poor, uneducated masses, could pull on a rope when told which one and shoot at whatever they were pointed at and that was about it. The sailors would tell them the most fantastical tales with the reasonable expectation that they would pretty much believe anything. The term “Jarhead” for British Marines was not complimentary.

Well, I guess we can bag this. Oops! Does this date me?

Wordsmith Bill Abrams resides in Pine Plains.