The 'phrases that you never quite understood' thread

[Baron von Biffo]

I also have a neighbour who would often say of some local brigand or ne'er-do-well;

If ye were short a bastard he'd make ye yer dozen

Now I have no query as to his meaning but how did he ever come to such a convoluted way of explaining it?

A version of that is still in use in these parts - 'If bollockses were scarce he'd make two of them'.

[DCon]

not a phrase, but how do people pronounce audit?

awdit or oddit?

[bernadette]

not a phrase, but how do people pronounce audit?

awdit or oddit?

Awdit!

[DCon]

Awdit!

me too but I have noticed a lot of Irish people say oddit

[bernadette]

me too but I have noticed a lot of Irish people say oddit

I hadn't noticed but its simple! Say oddit here in Ireland and awdit wherever they say awdit.....

In any event I think everyone will know what you mean - and groan.

[PaddyJoe]

Heard somebody on the radio last week say that they were 'browned off'"
Haven't heard that one for ages.

[Count Bobulescu]

Heard someone use this recently referring to someone else as “half a bubble off plumb” which is a much nicer way of saying that “the elevator doesn’t go to the top floor”.
.

[PaddyJoe]

"Where would you be going with no bell on your bike"

[Baron von Biffo]

"Where would you be going with no bell on your bike"

...and your knickers wringing. - Is how that one ends in these parts.