Forum Topic

Words going out of use

Just wondering what words us oldies still use from time to time that no one else does.  Mine is yonder, as in over yonder.

James Petri ● 70d151 Comments

And when the have a foiled attempt at goal,the are 'Knocking on the door'

Keith Iddon ● 60d

Should your team go 2 nil down, to cap it all they will have "a mountain to climb".

Denis I. Fox ● 60d

I wouldn't worry too much Keith, after all it's only a game of two halves.

Brian Coyle ● 60d

Probably not,but expect to hear 'They/we got beat'(that one really boils my urine),'At the end of the day'and other such gems.

Keith Iddon ● 60d

I haven't listened to a football match on the radio for yonks and yonks but I don't suppose they use back to square one any more?

James Petri ● 60d

Clothes - Clobber

Janice Evans ● 60d

This saying might be particular to the north west of England 'He's got more (shoes/shirts,whatever) than Soft Mick.

Keith Iddon ● 60d

'He doesn't know a from a bull's foot.I used to think it was a dropped haitch, so: He doesn't know hay from a bull's foot, but apparantly not.'Yes, used in our house too, but like you perplexed as to what it's about. Possibly form the same train of thought as - he doesn't know his a*se from his elbow?

Vanessa Smith ● 60d

He doesn't know a from a bull's foot.I used to think it was a dropped haitch, so: He doesn't know hay from a bull's foot, but apparantly not.

James Petri ● 61d

Thanks Richard, my partner said it was the V2 I get them confused.

Janice Evans ● 63d

I thought there was actually a dead donkey found there, hence the name.

Janice Evans ● 63d

The non fiction book Arnhem is a superb read.

Keith Iddon ● 63d

Indeed Keith, everything that could go wrong did go wrong as explained in the novel, and pictured in the film entitled A Bridge Too Far which included great actors.

Denis I. Fox ● 63d

My father was on Market Garden,Epsom and Goodwood.He was one of the 'mopper uppers' who finished off or took prisoner those German soldiers left behind after the Allied advance.Many of the maps were wrong,the radios ineffective and supplies were delivered late or to the wrong destination.They were all good plans for ops.but poor legistics were a major problem.

Keith Iddon ● 63d

With reference to the 12 dead horses resulting from the dropping of a doddlebug on the United Dairies Depot in February 1944, is this why local oldtimers used to refer to the adjoining Harvard Lane as "Dead Donkey Alley"?On the subject of WW2 events, it is worth mentioning that today is the 80th anniversary of Market Garden, the failed attempt by allied troops to take the Arnhem bridge.This morning a heroic re-enactment (Spitfires and parachute jumps) took place over the north bank of the lower Rhine river.

Denis I. Fox ● 63d

Doodlebugs (V1) were an early form of cruise missile. They didn't drop bombs - they were flying bombs which flew along until they ran out of fuel, the motor cut out and they dropped. The silent one was the V2 rocket which came down from a great height with virtually no warning.

Richard Greenhough ● 63d

The doodlebugs had a noisy pulse-jet motor. When the noise stopped it was the time to be concerned. The flying bomb would soon drop out of the sky.

Robert Fish ● 63d

Standing outside Gunnersbury Stationand wanting to visit the "RAG & BONE MAN" in Devonshire Roadin the early 1950s ... one might  have said ..."SHALL I WAIT FOR A TROLLEYBUS OR 'SHANKS PONY' (walk!)

Jim Lawes ● 63d

Ah, I remember something about not hearing them coming so it was the aircraft they never heard, I think we looked up about the Dairy a few months ago and one in Acton was also hit.

Janice Evans ● 63d

They were noisy Bombs Janetbut quietish aircraft.I recall that the "Doddlebug"had a red light on it's body ...if the light went out a bomb would be falling.In February 1944 a doddlebug dropped a bomb on the United Dairies Depot in Sutton Lane near the junction with Barrowgate Road. Twelve horses were killed.One second later the "bugger"dropped another bomb on houses in Wolseley Gardens (north side) at the junction with Whitehall Park Road.Five locals were killed sadly.The event is never commemorated.If the bomb had been a split second later ... many of us in air raid shelters etc wouldn't be here today.Collecting "SHAPNEL" was a youngster's activity on bomb sites during the War.... and there were many such sites in Chiswick.As Macmillan said (60 odd years ago) " YOU'VE NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD"!

Jim Lawes ● 63d

... and your Co-op number?"To this day I can remember my Mum's Co-op number - 351229, we used go to the Co-op which was on South Parade - the butchers nearest the pub and the other side was provisions.

Vanessa Smith ● 63d

Were they the silent bombs Jim.

Janice Evans ● 63d

The air siren on the Great Chertsey Road ...near the junction with with Edensor Road ... could be heard over most of Chiswick (even in dear Wolseley Gardens).When the siren went off ...Our parents would say ..."Bloody doddlebugs"

Jim Lawes ● 63d

Are there many more sayings from the war years.

Janice Evans ● 63d

They also had a way of folding cash which I still do and my partner has adopted.

Janice Evans ● 63d

If something was wrong my Dad would say 'that's a bit Anna May' as in Anna May Wong (wrong) not heard that for a long time.

Janice Evans ● 63d

Ah, pleased to hear that Katrina, this thread is great, had me thinking of all the family long gone and the sayings and words they used, lot of Actonianwords there.

Janice Evans ● 63d

Jim, I still remember our Co-op number (or Divi-number, as we called it), and that of the family who lived across the back street from us.

Colin Joseph Jordan ● 63d

Co-op Divident stammps and  Green Shield stamps if you were well off.

Keith Iddon ● 64d

Keith and Nigel speak of the fine services provided by the TOK Hcharitable organisation.That's reminds me.A certain JOHN PROFUMO was a leading light in that organisation in his post CHRISTINE KEELER days.We don't hear those names talked about these days.

Jim Lawes ● 64d

A remarkable building. Talbot House (Toc H) is worth a visit if only for their little museum which shows what a few good men can achieve in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds.

N V Brooks ● 64d

Now its "Have you a Co-op card ?"

Richard Greenhough ● 64d

"... and your Co-op number?"

Jim Lawes ● 64d

Same here Janice. I go down the Kings Rd, my husband goes up the Kings Rd! We're both going in the same direction!Thanks for the richness of you contributions. Truly amazing!

Katrina Black ● 64d

The Toc H society was a soldiers' welfare organisation based at Talbot House,Poperinghe in Belgium during WW1.It was a temperance society and offered soldiers rest,recuperation and some peace and quiet after their struggles at the front.It always had a very dim light above its doorway.

Keith Iddon ● 64d

Sorry, screwed up my italics command.

Colin Joseph Jordan ● 64d

Now, that is an old one, Keith. And incomprehensible to most of the population.

Colin Joseph Jordan ● 64d

'Dim as a Toc H lamp'was another one my dad used.

Keith Iddon ● 64d

Is "Two Jags" still around ?

Jim Lawes ● 64d

Yes it was "thick as a plank" Richard.I suggested I was!

Jim Lawes ● 64d

When we were going anywhere it was always 'down'. We are going down the pub, or we are going down the shops, when I said to my partner I'm  going down the lane to unlock the gate, he said no you are going up the lane it's uphill and he has never quite got the gist, now when I say I'm going down somewhere, he will say which way and it always makes me laugh.

Janice Evans ● 64d

Yes, think so Vanessa.

Janice Evans ● 64d

Alastair, that was more hippy lingo, a lot of words mentioned here now were not used towards anyone, it was a way of communication more or less amongst yourselves from what I can remember.

Janice Evans ● 64d

I have to say I always thought that 'bent as a nine bob note' meant someone was not to be trusted, on the basis if it seems too good to be true - then it probably is.

Vanessa Smith ● 64d

I had a real old school landlord when I lived in Southall in the early 80's,he was a great raconteur and also very knowledgeable chap.He had  some great sayings like 'I was that shocked I had to sit down with a glass of water and a dry biscuit' and 'It was that dark,I couldn't see the hand behind me'.

Keith Iddon ● 64d

Someone who was scruffy, they would say 'done up like a sack of potatoes'

Janice Evans ● 64d

'Quid' in money is not used as often now.

Janice Evans ● 64d

I thought it was "thick as a plank". Not referring to you, of course, Jim.

Richard Greenhough ● 64d

'Chuck a dummy' faint.

Janice Evans ● 64d

Some people think "I'm dead as a plank"They're dead right!

Jim Lawes ● 64d

Another one, 'he's lower than a snakes belly'

Janice Evans ● 64d

I remember that one as 'bent as a nine bob note' expect there were variations of it.

Janice Evans ● 64d

My old dad used to say someone or something was 'As queer as a 9 bob note'in the parliance of the times I suppose.He used it as much you describe strange goings on or people he didn't believe the public persona of,like Savile.

Keith Iddon ● 64d

"Several variations on that - for Blackpool - also read - Brighton, Selfridges etc."As long as it is not Harrods.......!

Richard Greenhough ● 64d

In Response To:Just heard someone on the radio say Liz Truss had 'more front than Blackpool'.Several variations on that - for Blackpool - also read - Brighton, Selfridges etc.

Vanessa Smith ● 64d

In "Back to the Future" Doc Brown is puzzled by Marty McFly's use of the word "heavy" in its 1960s sense.

Richard Greenhough ● 64d

Purple hearts.

Keith Iddon ● 64d

The er, ‘swinging sixties’ brought about a whole bunch of expressions like fab gear, ‘underground’, ‘with it’, straight machine, far out, right on, ‘head’, beat-group, chick, sex kitten, black bomber, and a whole lot more drug slang and unrepeatable sexist, racist and homophobic words and phrases that happily have mostly passed away!

Alastair Banton ● 64d

Just heard someone on the radio say Liz Truss had 'more front than Blackpool'.

Colin Jordan ● 64d

He usually sees the funny side.

Janice Evans ● 65d

Ha ha ha, he said I don't have to look it up it's a mushroom.

Janice Evans ● 65d

I hope that ends well Janice.

Keith Iddon ● 65d

I'm going to use that word on my partner later, he will be eagerly looking it up.

Janice Evans ● 65d

Apparently they are both British and Irish surname, my friend was born here of Irish parents.

Janice Evans ● 65d

I recently heard of a great word from Victorian times that was given to a kill joy,or anyone who sees only the bad in a situation.'Smellfungus'.

Keith Iddon ● 65d

I used to work at the same place as a very nice woman called Jenny England,way back when.

Keith Iddon ● 65d

That's strange Anne, we had a lovely lunch and have been friends for many years as far as I can remember having worked together nobody got her name wrong.

Janice Evans ● 65d

Interesting. It always amazed me that people who had plenty of opportunity to see my name in print, on signed letters etc. would write back to 'Ann English'. It got so, much to my colleagues' amusement, that when giving my name on the phone I would say 'Anne with an e, England like the country'. To make my point to them I once pinned an envelope to my cardigan addressed to Ann English.

Anne England ● 65d

'Does anyone still exclaim "Lawks", or even more improbably "Lawks a mercy".'Sounds like something out of a Dickens film uttered by Kathleen Harrison!

Vanessa Smith ● 65d

You could have enlightened them about ‘twat’ too ;-)

Alastair Banton ● 65d

Just a few days ago, I had to explain to an American friend the meaning and somewhat unsavoury derivation of the term, 'berk'.

Colin Jordan ● 65d

No, not Tyke-speak. The only person I've heard say it (Lawks, not Lawks a mercy) is from Wales originally, but a long-time resident of Chiswick.

Robert Fish ● 66d

I'm meeting my friend tomorrow Anne, her name is Ann English and I always think of her when you post having similar names.

Janice Evans ● 66d

I've never heard that expression Robert.Is that Yorkshire twang? I still use 'clocked' for saw or seen.

Keith Iddon ● 66d

Does anyone still exclaim "Lawks", or even more improbably "Lawks a mercy".

Robert Fish ● 66d

My best friend used to swear like a trooper, until his grandchildren came along, he now uses lummy or if really exasperated, blimey.

N V Brooks ● 66d

A friend says 'Gosh'. I'm meeting up with her tomorrow and will see whether she comes up with the goods.

Anne England ● 66d

You'be been "AWOL" of late Brian ...welcome back!Great posting Keith ...some might say "TOP OF THE POPS"!

Jim Lawes ● 66d

'Do I not like that!' thankyou Graham Taylor.

Keith Iddon ● 66d

Or even 'cobblers'. How about a 'double whammy', meaning a situation when two unpleasant things happen at almost the same time, e.g. you bump into Keir Starmer, and then Rachel Reeves - also known as a nightmare, and more than enough to give you the screaming (h)abdabs - nervous anxiety. Also when out driving, try not to prang your car, and make sure your sprog is strapped in appropriately. Quite a few of us will remember 'The Good Old Days', with Leonard Sachs: "Sachs introduced the next act with alliterative attacks of alarming alacrity in a constipated display of perspicacious polysyllabic peripatetics, which heralded the appearance of a teaming torrent of tempting talent . . . for our delight and delectation, naturally". So, a transcendental terpsichorean event, for example, would be something you might find on Strictly Come Dancing.

Brian Coyle ● 66d

You never hear 'A load of old codswallop' anymore,except from me now and again.

Keith Iddon ● 66d

Back in the 1960s Richard ...Coventry was well know for it's highquality light engineering industries.The industrial relations scene in the UK at that time and foreign competition soon put paid to that.A lot of firms WENT UP THE WALL!

Jim Lawes ● 66d

"It's suggested that some posters on the Forum "should be sent to Coventry."As long as they don't "go round the Wrekin" to get there. I'm not sure if that expression was only local to the West Midlands.

Richard Greenhough ● 66d

Me too Julian. I often say. 'Cheers my dear', to a female after purchasing something in a shop, although the 'my' bit sounds more like 'me'.

Brian Coyle ● 66d

And jib,  get in without paying.

Janice Evans ● 66d

'Buffoon, pillock'. reminds me of David Lammy.

Brian Coyle ● 66d

Parry was another one, meaning I will go along with them even though I don't trust them, 'I parry with them'

Janice Evans ● 66d

Parney is another one, going for a p.. ee

Janice Evans ● 66d

And they are not words or sayings I would use myself just things relatives used to say.

Janice Evans ● 66d

No I don't watch Eastenders and never have, hate soaps,

Janice Evans ● 66d

Cockney has declined and with it much of the rhyming slang.  Even the more widespread expressions like ‘have a butcher’s’, (look), Joanna (for piano), me old China (mate) etc seem to be disappearing.  But maybe if I watched Eastenders?

Alastair Banton ● 66d

He's 'not a walk over'. Not gullible.

Janice Evans ● 66d

Ha, 'you have a nice set of railings'. teeth.  Or 'you have a good pair of pins'legs.

Janice Evans ● 66d

"Mutton dressed as lamb" seems to have disappeared from the language, presumably because more enlightened times consider it unduly sexist.

Robert Fish ● 66d

It's suggested that some posters on the Forum "should be sent to Coventry" By bike presumably!

Jim Lawes ● 66d

"He's blind as a bat" but bats aren't blind apparently."Pass me that THINGAMAJIG please""The place is so disorganised ... it's a right 'fred karno'

Jim Lawes ● 66d

Of someone who looked permanently in a bad mood: 'mouth like a torn pocket'.

Colin Jordan ● 66d

Sock it too me! (Goldie Horne)"Very interesting, but silly stupid dumb"(German accent please)From the ground breaking show the Rowen & Martin Laugh In

Adrian Irving ● 67d

Here's some more younger people wouldn't understand I think...Like haywire!Jumping on the bandwagon!In the groove!Right on!You look as though you've been pulled through a hedge backwards!

Katrina Black ● 67d

Favourite in our house to describe someone who was very scruffy 'Tied up ugly, like a bundle of sh*t', still use that one.

Vanessa Smith ● 67d

I had a wonderful great aunt who often used to exclaim ‘Get away with you!’ and she would refer to people’s ‘doings’.  I’ve not heard either of those for some time.

Alastair Banton ● 67d

My Dad would say 'Redies' not sure of the spelling,

Janice Evans ● 67d

I still used that one,Colin.A word that my old dad used to use to refer to money and always had me wondering was 'spondoolicks'.

Keith Iddon ● 67d

Oven ready Brexit

David Burke ● 67d

'Waiting around like cheese at fourpence'

Colin Jordan ● 67d

Early November time in the past(say 1950s)"Farthing for the Guy"

Jim Lawes ● 68d

When I use the phrase “for your edification” that often causes a confused reaction as if the listener is only a Sun reader as opposed to reading the Guardian

Tony Antares ● 68d

The great Bill Shankly 'I tell my players to get their retaliation in first'

Keith Iddon ● 68d

Here's one for the road (bed):Tommy Docherty, Chelsea manager 1965 says to his full back Chopper Harris just prior to kick off:"Get your first tackle in early, even if it's late".

Denis I. Fox ● 68d

A memorable phrase during the "Winter of Discontent" was an advertising slogan.A Union Leader was on his soapbox addressing and rallying his membersand he shouted:"Who are you with brothers"?They roared back ..."We're with the Woolwich"Woolwich being a well known south east London Building Society!

Jim Lawes ● 68d

'Only a fool would leave the Single Market'- Idiot Johnson.

Stewart Jones ● 68d

One of a trio of prime ministerial political lexicons which have stuck, and spoken post war.The other two:"Crisis? What Crises"- James Callaghan, The Winter of Discontent 1976"You turn if you want to, the ladies not for turning" Margarite Thatcher, keeping to her guns on liberalisation 1980.

Denis I. Fox ● 68d

Wilson was supposed to have told Heath 'If you stop telling lies about us Ted,we'll sto telling the truth about you'.Probably apocryphal,unfortunarely.

Keith Iddon ● 68d

Some will remember a UK Prime Minister telling us "you've never had it so good".We never hear that saying these days!

Jim Lawes ● 68d

Another one I've not heard is 'have you weighed in' meaning have you paid,or the other way around have you been weighed in' meaning have you been paid.

Janice Evans ● 68d

My parents used this one, if something was not quite right or a bit dodgythey would say  'with the corner up' not heard that for many years.

Janice Evans ● 68d

Gor blimey Katrina ...that's a smashing idea!

Jim Lawes ● 68d

I've really enjoyed this thread. Would anyone like to start one on phrases going/gone out of use? I could think of a few. Here's one..."This is where we came in" - meaningless to younger people who didn't live through the days of endless programming in cinemas.

Katrina Black ● 68d

Indeed he did. He owned two flats there. One morning I saw him loading a bag into his car boot, and his toupee fell off, much to his embarrassment.He was a brilliant radio broadcaster and could sing.James Boland lived in the flats and may still. He always kept a low profile but never had a catchphrase.

Denis I. Fox ● 68d

I believe that Jimmy Young once lived in Watchfield Court, Sutton Court Road, Chiswick.TTFN!

Jim Lawes ● 68d

TTFN goes back to the Second World War. The ITMA radio show turned it into a viral catchphrase. Tommy Handley, the star of the show, used to sign off with it. I believe both ITMA and TTFN were coined as send-ups of the wartime passion for meaningless acronyms.

Robert Fish ● 68d

Indeed it was Jimmy Young, altough he did not invent the expression -"With his self-styled “JY prog” on Radio 2 pulling in an audience of nine million, catchphrases such as “Orf we jolly well go” and “TTFN” – his shorthand for, “ta-ta for now” – became national buzzwords and politicians queued up to be interviewed."Apparently JY never forgave Chiswick's own Jeremy Vine for taking over his daily show in 2002. Young was furious at being ousted and rebuffed Vine’s suggestion of a handover lunch – the two never did meet.

Richard Greenhough ● 68d

Still widely used, I was "MeDucked" a good few times on my last visit to Leicestershire.

N V Brooks ● 68d

I will confess to signing off many an email with TTFN. Who was the radio broadcaster who finished his programmes with it - Jimmy somebody (Young?) I think. That must have been more like the 70s or 80s.

Anne England ● 68d

It was probably generally used word then Richard.  Thanks.

Janice Evans ● 69d

In the East Midlands the equivalent is "M'Duck".

Richard Greenhough ● 69d

'I still refer to 50p as ten bob,much to the bemusement of many.'Me too! and I STILL convert current prices back - frightens the life out of me!

Vanessa Smith ● 69d

My Nan always called us 'Duckie' was that a London thing, don't hear itanymore.

Janice Evans ● 69d

My sister loves it there, stayed all summer.

Janice Evans ● 69d

Sometimes I wonder myself, Janice. For my career, I suppose, but I so nearly went back to those broad acres and friendly folk.

Robert Fish ● 69d

OrWot for did tha leave lovely Yorkshire, Robert? or evenwhy did thee up and leave lovely Yorkshire, Robert?

Julian Pavey ● 69d

Why did you leave lovely Yorkshire Robert.

Janice Evans ● 69d

When I first moved to London rents were still quoted in guineas. Outside horse-racing circles I haven't heard the word used for over 50 years. I suppose it lapsed after decimalisation in 1971, when we lost the shilling.

Robert Fish ● 69d

I still refer to 50p as ten bob,much to the bemusement of many.

Keith Iddon ● 69d

Colin, yes what ever happened to that of indeed "cheerio".Now it's been replaced by the ridiculous "take care"  phase to which I often reply "live dangerously" but always with a smile on my face.

Adrian Irving ● 69d

Ta-ta. And related to that is the expression which I think was disappearing by the 50s: TTFN, meaning, 'Ta-ta for now.'

Colin Jordan ● 69d

'The word fuckwit sums up so many, concisely and accurately'Perhaps we should export that to the U.S. as it sums up the orange one so well, let alone the morons that support him. There's an interview with one of his MAGA supporters doing the rounds who goes on at length about investigating why Obama wasn't around during 9/11!! What is even more breath-taking is that the interviewer is a well known comedian -  why are these people allowed out on their own, never mind given a vote. Frightening.

Vanessa Smith ● 69d

I recall my father descrbing someone's ears as sticking out "like chapel 'at pegs".

Robert Fish ● 70d

As a Yorkshireman, I prefer "Well, I'll go to t'foot of our stairs".

Robert Fish ● 70d

Also when in traffic jam I would say 'we've caught the zig' my partner wouldsay what the zig, I never really knew it was a saying my Dad had always used.

Janice Evans ● 70d

I heard a saying recently that I had not heard for many years, this guy said 'Well f... my old boots'  (used when there is an element of surprise)

Janice Evans ● 70d

2024 sees the 80th anniversary of a word that, if anything is underused in this time social media but which is complained about incessantly by the easily offended.- Please scroll down -The word fuckwit sums up so many, concisely and accurately .

N V Brooks ● 70d

The Don to gain second term?"Over my dead body" says ol' man Joe Biden.Quite a well worn phrase in yonder years.

Denis I. Fox ● 70d

I like the old Aussie saying upon leaving ..'Hooray'.

Keith Iddon ● 70d

There's a much better word for them ,Justin.In fact theree are several,some with only four letters.

Keith Iddon ● 70d

I use cheers a lot; is it really going out of use?

James Petri ● 70d

I use cheers daily instead of thank you or goodbye,but i hear it less these daysSome people of an age ive noticed are gradually starting to fist pump. Now if thats down to COVID days im not sure but if someone does a fist pump to me i just put my hand out to shake and they normaly change. The odd one gets confused and does nothing. Ha

Julian Pavey ● 70d

wazzock or wassock (either spelling is acceptable)Ideal word when as a pedestrian you are nearly mowed down at a zebra crossing by a cyclist, e-cyclist, car driver, van driver or similar

Justin Stephenson ● 70d

A friend tells me that I should retire the words "nipper" and "grub" from my vocabulary. Easily said!

Phil Kay ● 70d

PleaseThank youBuffoonPillock

N V Brooks ● 70d

"Thank you Madam""Thank you Sir"

Jim Lawes ● 70d