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"Old fashioned" expressions that young people have never heard.

(29 Posts)
ExDancer Mon 03-Aug-26 18:03:13

I was quite amused at the checkout in our local supermarket by the reaction of the young checkout cashier, when -not quite hearing what she said - I said "I beg pardon".
She truly didn't know what I meant.
Is this a local (Cumbrian) expression? It means 'what did you say' or 'pardon', or 'what', or 'eh?'.
Is it country-wide?
Do you use old fashioned speech? If so - what?

MissAdventure Mon 03-Aug-26 18:07:00

I just told my friend her elbow needed some cream on it, as it is "black as Newgits knocker"
smile

Jaxjacky Mon 03-Aug-26 18:07:21

Spend a penny

Grannybags Mon 03-Aug-26 18:12:41

Trying to explain to my 13 year GD the bright red nail varnish I fancied I called it floosie (sp?) red. Not very pc I suppose!

Oldnproud Mon 03-Aug-26 18:21:32

ExDancer

I was quite amused at the checkout in our local supermarket by the reaction of the young checkout cashier, when -not quite hearing what she said - I said "I beg pardon".
She truly didn't know what I meant.
Is this a local (Cumbrian) expression? It means 'what did you say' or 'pardon', or 'what', or 'eh?'.
Is it country-wide?
Do you use old fashioned speech? If so - what?

Definitely not a local expression. I am from a different region and still might use it occasionally.
(Though I am a northerner -a Yorkshire girl originally)

These youngsters know nothing 😂

Oldnproud Mon 03-Aug-26 18:23:44

I deliberately use old expressions with my dgc sometimes. It is worth it to see their bemused looks, but I see it as educational too.

NotSpaghetti Mon 03-Aug-26 18:24:40

I don't think I've heard it with the "I" in front.
- just "beg pardon".

NotSpaghetti Mon 03-Aug-26 18:25:13

Or in full.. as in "I beg your pardon."

MissAdventure Mon 03-Aug-26 18:28:34

Me too, Oldnproud.
I enjoy quaint little phrases, and don't want them to die out.

Charleygirl5 Mon 03-Aug-26 18:28:57

* ExDancer* I am Scottish and have used it all my life.

MissAdventure and Grannybags, sorry you have both lost me.

Georgesgran Mon 03-Aug-26 18:32:28

I now ask for 2 cod and chips, as asking for ‘twice’ just brings a puzzled look.

ViceVersa Mon 03-Aug-26 18:33:01

I'm Scottish and hear it used regularly. I didn't even think of it as being old fashioned, to be honest.

MissAdventure Mon 03-Aug-26 18:33:05

Newgate prisons door knocker.i
Only lots of things here have an "I " put it, instead of the proper pronunciation.
A housekit - a housecoat.
A whilk - a whelk.

Oldnproud Mon 03-Aug-26 18:33:59

NotSpaghetti

Or in full.. as in "I beg your pardon."

Ah, yes, I hadn't noticed the lack of 'your' in the OP. But I wouldn't have thought it would flummox anyone who had ever heard the expression.

Sadly, I suppose that if these sayings have died out, we are as much to blame as anyone.

That said, I will absolutely not take responsibility for one of my own sons thinking that the expression "If that's what you think, you have another thing coming!" is correct!!!

Doodledog Mon 03-Aug-26 18:35:05

My husband talked about a continental quilt a while ago, and my (adult) children thought it was hilarious. They'd only heard them described as 'duvets'.

MissAdventure Mon 03-Aug-26 18:35:54

Going to the pictures.

SueDonim Mon 03-Aug-26 18:36:48

MissAdventure

I just told my friend her elbow needed some cream on it, as it is "black as Newgits knocker"
smile

So many questions! I’ve never heard this expression. Why is your friend’s elbow black? Single, double or whipping cream? grin

Whingey Mon 03-Aug-26 18:44:29

DJ says Oh my giddy aunt 😂

Marthjolly1 Mon 03-Aug-26 18:50:42

When getting very dirty playing outside granny always would say 'oh my Lor, you're as black as newgit's knocker'. It was years before I understood that came from the big black knocker on the big gate on Newgate Prison.

MissAdventure Mon 03-Aug-26 18:51:25

I don't know why her elbow is black, SueDomin.
And just to add to the mystery, neither does she!!
Some sort of eczema, I think.
She's been using some new cream, and was quite blasé until she saw it.

MissAdventure Mon 03-Aug-26 18:55:36

Its like Wookie Hole in here! smile

ixion Mon 03-Aug-26 18:58:11

As busy as Clapham Junction.

MissAdventure Mon 03-Aug-26 18:59:47

Like Piccadilly Circus. smile

nanaK54 Mon 03-Aug-26 19:03:39

MissAdventure

Going to the pictures.

Or 'the flicks' even grin

nanaK54 Mon 03-Aug-26 19:04:30

Whingey

DJ says Oh my giddy aunt 😂

My late mum used to say "well she's the giddy limit" (or he)