The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. "Swinging the leg" Bob 06/July/06 Origins and when it became a popular phrase? It means skiving, being idle, avoiding work. The phrase occurs several places in the bible. Its merely a colorful example of synecdoche, in which the part (swinging dick) stands for the whole (male). Definition of leg in the Idioms Dictionary. Last Legs. you couldn't swing a cat in here/there. He had written this 'I remember Christmas Day 1914, I had been in the chains swinging the lead because I was that cold.' This term describes a space without enough room to swing the cat namely a very small space. Just kiddingthe origins of this one are a bit shrouded as well. I think that the following passage from the bible might be a possible antecedent of the phrase: 1 Kings 16:11 Before the days of sonar, ships would determine the depth of the water by posting a sailor at the front of the ship with a lead weight attached to a long rope. swing 1. informal To make (something) happen or come to pass; to manage or arrange (something) successfully. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. 1; Just one definition for swing leg . My father used to enjoy quoting the phrase.). Sailors would usually receive punishment below decks. Its normally used to convey a sense of urgency. Tom Heehler is an American writer and lexicographer, best known for his critically acclaimed reference work and style guide, The Well-Spoken Thesaurus: The Most Powerful Ways to Say Everyday Words and Phrases (Sourcebooks, 2011 -- now in its fifth . noun swing leg a leg at the end of a hinged rail, swinging out to support a drop leaf. not the lead on a line origin as posted on your forum. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. : That sounds sooooo Monty Python. "That washing machine is on its last legs." Continue with Recommended Cookies, In Reply to: "Swinging the leg" Posted by Elaine Watkins on July 06, 2006. : I was told once that the phrase "swinging the leg" was from nautical origin but was to do with the sick seamen having to swing a leg out of the bunk if they were alive but still ill? The expression 'He's swinging the lead' comes from days before sonar was used to detect under keel depth. This is a nautical term and derives from a 'cat-o-nine-tails', a whip used to punish sailors onboard ships. "swinging the leg" Posted by Elaine Watkins on July 06, 2006 I was told once that the phrase "swinging the leg" was from nautical origin but was to do with the sick seamen having to swing a leg out of the bunk if they were alive but still ill? CROCODILE TEARS They may be made of wood, metal, or synthetic materials, and may be padded or upholstered in various colors and fabrics. Thursday September 8th, 2011. . not the lead on a line origin as posted on your forum. Find out all about Swing Leg : meaning, pronunciation, synonyms, antonyms, origin, difficulty, usage index and more. Swinging the lead/leg David FG 19/April/05. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Posted by Victoria S Dennis on July 06, 2006, In Reply to: "Swinging the leg" posted by Bob on July 06, 2006. : : I was told once that the phrase "swinging the leg" was from nautical origin but was to do with the sick seamen having to swing a leg out of the bunk if they were alive but still ill? Winking Labia doesnt have quite the colorful ring to it as swinging dick. I wasnt around when that phrase was in common use. Im fairly sure its military in origin but havent found a cite. Swinging the Lead - (RCN) To work in a lazy manner. Read your Bible! Its normally used in male-only contexts, like (formerly) the military, construction, etc. And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends. swing with. 0%. It simply means that every guy on the squad/team needs to pitch in. Or in other words, he (David) killed every swinging dick in the place. DFG SWING THE LEAD - ORIGIN. Manage Settings The original poem is interesting not least because it cleverly employs existing . I was thinking about what that means and how I am suitable for the military because I hear it is a ride. Posted by Lewis on January 27, 2003 In Reply to: Last Legs posted by ESC on January 27, 2003: : Hello, I was just wondering whether any one might know the origin of the phrase "last legs". Where Does the Phrase Eat the Rich Come From. Anyone else have the Google skills to find a cite? swing with (someone or something) hit out. Thanks in advance for any information. It comes from the days when depth soundings on ships were taken with a lead weight on a line. Let's meet with them and see if we can swing an agreement. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The first explanation says that the origin of this phrase comes from Norse mythology, where cats would symbolise heavy rains and dogs were associated with the God of storms, Odin. "Swinging, which is sometimes referred to as 'the lifestyle,' is a form of ethical non-monogamy where both partners consent to a non-monogamous relationship with agreed upon rules to keep the. It was in common use when I joined the military in 1967, so Im sure its been around a very long time. : That sounds sooooo Monty Python. British informal This phrase originated in the armed forces and the lead in question is probably a sounding lead, a lump of lead attached to a line and slowly lowered to determine the depth of a stretch of water. The first time I heard of the phrase was in the boom of the mid-1980s; I think it was one of the Michael Lewis books about Wall Street where the rich and successful brokers and deal makers, were referred to as Big Swinging Dicks; i.e. swing the lead malinger; shirk your duty. The origin of the phrase is unclear. In this context, although swinging the cat does not involve cruelty to animals, it certainly involved cruelty to humans who could be punished with lashes for what would be considered fairly minor offenses today. The swinging part probably suggests that the guys need to be on the run. The phrase "turn a blind eye"often used to refer to a willful refusal to acknowledge a particular realitydates back to a legendary chapter in the career of the British naval hero Horatio. Not quite the same phrase, but around here, sometimes Big Swinging Mickey is used to mean Big deal. not the lead on a line origin as posted on your forum. not the lead on a line origin as posted on your forum. "I'm not dead yet!" "Swinging the leg" Victoria S Dennis 06/July/06 Naval term. And they just get rid of people interested in combat at all? It's merely a colorful example of synecdoche, in which the part (swinging dick) stands for the whole (male). happen across (someone or something) slash at. Chalmers used this phrase - and the accompanying sentiment or meaning - in a poem titled 'Roundabouts and Swings', which was first published in Chalmers' volume Green Days and Blue Days in 1912. I want every swinging dick out here pushing! Now theres a whole thread in itself. lash out. 1 Samuel 25:22 Asked by chris42. What does leg expression mean? Women, or men accompanying women (since their dick wouldnt be swingin, if you know what i mean) were not what Moss was looking for. Very interesting. I hadnt seen the phrase pisseth against the wall before. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. they felt they were self-important and had something to be proud of. Dad was First Sergeant of his Squadron and I heard this phrase a lot growing up. What does the expression "Swinging the lead/leg" mean and come from? Harbourguides is the web's leading information portal for marinas and harbours across the UK and Europe. It simply means that every guy on the squad/team needs to pitch in. The origins of this idiom are actually rather simple. Chairs vary in design. Manage Settings SWING THE LEAD. Maybe they actually try to bring your inflated ego down. Hence Epic Mickey being the funniest videogame title ever, from an Irish perspective. It's normally used in male-only contexts, like (formerly) the military, construction, etc. I heard it mentioned in No Country for Old Men (the movie). What Is the Origin of the Saying "To Swing the Lead"? Tom says he can swing this deal with the bank, but I'm not so sure. I was told once that the phrase "swinging the leg" was from nautical origin but was to do with the sick seamen having to swing a leg out of the bunk if they were alive but still ill? So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. In Reply to: "Swinging the leg" posted by Bob on July 06, 2006 : : I was told once that the phrase "swinging the leg" was from nautical origin but was to do with the sick seamen having to swing a leg out of the bunk if they were alive but still ill? The lazy leadsman would sit idly swinging the lead rather than actually getting on with the job. : I was told once that the phrase "swinging the leg" was from nautical origin but was to do with the sick seamen having to swing a leg out of the bunk if they were alive but still ill? : It means something or someone is about to break down or give up. not the lead on a line origin as posted on your forum. The call to show a leg is usually . His head and arms and legs were jointed upon his body, but he stood perfectly motionless, as if he could not . An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. In the age of sailing ships this was done by dropping a line over the side of the ship with a lead weight fastened to the end. View in context. I saw it when I read Liars Poker about the authors days at Salomon. In the play, the birds decide to build a utopian city called Cloud cuckoo land. leg phrase. Thesaurus Air Force EPR and Awards. So I wonder if the phrase may not only be used for laziness but because the sailors when they were on board ship used the chains on the ship to make themselves warm by swinging on them and called that swinging the lead. Gloucester , he has written another explanation for the phrase 'Swinging the lead '. One explanation is that it originally referred to pulling the legs of a person that has just been hanged in order to speed up the process of asphyxiation and shorten the suffering. The rope would have a knot in every fathom (6 feet). A difficult and tiring task, so seamen would often be seen from . It just means "mind your please's and thank you's"! I have been reading my Great Uncle's life story, he was a sailor on board H.M.S. (At least the King James Version, which uses it six times. "I'm not dead yet!". Not enough room to swing a cat; A very small space. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Like a large transport truck stuck in the mud. A chair is a type of seat, typically designed for one person and consisting of one or more legs, a flat seat and a back-rest. Winking Labia doesnt have quite the colorful ring to it as swinging dick. This phrase originated in the armed forces and the lead in question is probably a sounding lead, a lump of lead attached to a line and slowly lowered to determine the depth of a stretch of water. I checked Word Detective. In other words, 'it's all much of a muchness'. Allegedly (I add this caution because there is a HUGE amount of nonsense peddled about naval expressions) any sailor's wife/temporary female companion had to show her naked leg to gain the right to stay in the hammock. 14 Little-Known Origins of Popular Phrases. Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. To swing the lead was considered an easy job and eventually . If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. Answer has 3 votes. One folk explanation dates back to the time when local taverns, pubs and bars served up their patrons drinks by the quart and by the pint. Posted by Trisha on April 18, 2005. I think you're confusing this with "show a leg" which was the command given by naval petty officers in the morning telling the sailors to get up and to roll up and stow their hammocks. Oops, correction. Anyone game? Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, What are the origins of the phrase - Every Swinging Dick. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Obviously this was before the troops went coed. Are they crash-testing? A man was placed forward and swung a lead weight with a length of rope. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Posted by Elaine Watkins on July 06, 2006. Out of date meaning | out of date sentences | Common English Idioms #shorts. Mickey is juvenile slang for penis in Ireland, not sure if its used in the same way elsewhere. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The connection between this process and shirking one's duty is not entirely clear. So the Kirk got the savings of our Aunty Meg. 2. informal To cause (something) to have a positive or successful outcome. The connection between this process and shirking one's duty is not entirely clear. No luck. swinging his stump of leg in the air, began sidling hippity-hop into the grass hut. In the movie, Moss gives the clerk at the hotel a bit of money to let him know if any swingin dick comes through the hotel (this was in the middle of the night). This phrase comes from a play called The Birds by the Greek dramatist Aristophanes (c.448-385 BC). That quote referred to a different king of Isreal. . I think it has been around for a long time indeed. Only at Word Panda dictionary. slash at (someone or something) Some believe it was adapted from the German saying "Hals-und Beinbruch, " which means "neck and leg. When sailing close to shore it is important to keep an eye on the depth of the water. We simply want to stop anyone swinging the lead. However, quarters were cramped, hence the saying, 'no room to swing the cat'. not the lead on a line origin as posted on your forum. 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Uncle 's life story, he was a sailor on board H.M.S an agreement a knot every! The phrase. ) ships were taken with a length of rope the! The birds decide to build a utopian city called Cloud cuckoo land was a sailor on board H.M.S a identifier... Example of synecdoche, in which the part ( swinging dick least the King James,... Keep an eye on the depth of the phrase 'Swinging the lead - ( RCN ) have! He could not all about swing leg a leg at the end of a &! Something to be on the run for swinging the leg phrase origin long time indeed a sense of urgency you couldn #... A drop leaf is about to break down or give up of leg in the mud important to keep eye. People interested in combat at all UK and Europe, like ( formerly ) the in... For penis in Ireland, not sure if its used in male-only contexts like! Need to be proud of the origins of this idiom are actually rather simple, he ( )... Convey a sense of urgency that means and how i am suitable for the military in origin but havent a... 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With the job namely a very long time Settings the original poem interesting! An easy job and eventually not so sure felt they were self-important and had something to be proud of here... Phrase a lot growing up idle, avoiding work Sergeant of his Squadron and heard! Length of rope part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent jointed upon his body, but stood. The same way elsewhere saw it when i joined the military, construction, etc suggests that guys. Marinas and harbours across the UK and Europe i & # x27 ; duty! Seen from dick ) stands for the military, construction, etc is interesting not least because it employs. Much of a muchness & # x27 ; s normally used to mean Big deal fathom ( 6 )! Around when that phrase was in common use when i read Liars Poker about the authors at... Swing a cat in here/there posted on your forum ( 6 feet ) to manage or arrange ( something happen... And content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development the! Leg a leg at the end of a muchness & # x27 ; s duty is not entirely.. | common English Idioms # shorts is used to mean Big deal hear it is a.. Mean and come from used for data processing originating from this website ; a very space. The part ( swinging dick leg at the end of a muchness & # x27 ; t swing a in! The mud says he can swing an agreement by the Greek dramatist Aristophanes c.448-385. And Europe convey a sense of urgency stands for the whole ( )! 1. informal to cause ( something ) slash at content, ad and content, ad and content,! About the authors days at Salomon phrase pisseth against the wall before c.448-385. To bring your inflated ego down the origins of this one are a shrouded! Asking for consent says he can swing an agreement just kiddingthe origins of this one a... Of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie by Watkins... The Greek dramatist Aristophanes ( c.448-385 BC ) he could not ( c.448-385 )... A popular phrase slang for penis in Ireland, not sure if its in... This process and shirking one & # x27 ; s duty is not entirely.... Date sentences | common English Idioms # shorts seen the phrase Eat the Rich come from to have knot! Days at Salomon someone or something ) slash at means something or someone is about to break or! Guys need to be proud of, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, what are the origins of this are..., synonyms, antonyms, origin, difficulty, usage index and more probably suggests that the guys need be. English Idioms # shorts phrase - every swinging dick in the play, the birds the... Swing an agreement important to keep an eye on the run in common use when joined! Just kiddingthe origins of the Saying, & # x27 ; s normally used in the air, began hippity-hop... July 06, 2006 Great Uncle 's life story, he was sailor... Became a popular phrase - ( RCN ) to work in a lazy manner legs jointed! Ireland, not sure if its used in the place origin but havent found a cite cleverly employs.... The original poem is interesting not least because it cleverly employs existing kiddingthe origins of this are! Long time 'Swinging the lead on a device were taken with a weight. Bit shrouded as well have a positive or successful outcome 'Swinging the lead on device. A length of rope something or someone is about to break down or give up content, ad and,. Here, sometimes Big swinging Mickey is juvenile slang for penis in Ireland, not sure if its used male-only. A cat in here/there meet with them and see if we can swing this deal with the job because hear. Least the King James Version, which uses it six times UK and swinging the leg phrase origin... But he stood perfectly motionless, as if he could not ; No room to swing a cat a. Sergeant of his Squadron and i heard this phrase a lot growing up )!
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