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This is random.

Neb Maro

Neb Maro

I don't think, but I still am.
Oct 20, 2006
1,385
0
So. Cali
#1
This is random, and no, I'm not posting just to raise my number. I've always wondered why this phrase is or similar phrases are used.

"I'm going to kick your ass"
"I worked my ass off"
"I laughed my ass off"
"I'm going to kill/shoot your ass."

These are a few examples. I tend to be a literalist, so I tend to want to say.."What do you mean you're going to kick my ass? Why do you want to kick me in the ass?" or "What do you mean you laughed your ass off? It's still there."

Does anybody else ever wonder why we as a people use such phraseology? Anybody ever wonder about other things that you just don't get?
 
#3
No. I really want to know how it started, why it's so popular.
People obviously don't mean t literally, but how did it start and howcome it's so popular.
Another thing is dumbass or hardass.
 
#5
Well yeah. The f word gets used in both good and bad context. That was cool as F! Or F you you motherFer!
A story I heard concerning the origins of the F word was that way back when the English and the French were fighting, the English longbow men were such a devastating force that whenever they were captured, the French would cut off the middle finger of the hand they used to nock the bow with.
In defiance, the uncapture bowmen would flip the French off with their middle fingers and say "Pluck you!"
Strange story, but cool story concerning the origins of the f word and flipping the bird.

So, why do people use the f word in so many contextx and then go back to my first question concerning asses.
 
#6
Wanderer81 said:
Well yeah. The f word gets used in both good and bad context. That was cool as F! Or F you you motherFer!
A story I heard concerning the origins of the F word was that way back when the English and the French were fighting, the English longbow men were such a devastating force that whenever they were captured, the French would cut off the middle finger of the hand they used to nock the bow with.
In defiance, the uncapture bowmen would flip the French off with their middle fingers and say "Pluck you!"
Strange story, but cool story concerning the origins of the f word and flipping the bird.
Click to expand...

This is a myth.

http://www.snopes.com/language/apocryph/pluckyew.htm

And before someone mentions it, the "for unlawful carnal knowledge" story is a myth as well.

Sorry, but urban legends are kind of a hobby of mine. :D
 
#7
It's cool. I like 'em too. I had a suspision that it was a myth, but it's a danged cool myth. So got anymore answers though for the origins of these sayings and why they are so commonly used for some many different contexts?
 
#8
I would hazard a guess that "ass" is in all of those phrases because it is a psychologically-significant (and funny) part of the body that is not as socially unacceptable to mention as the genitals. "I'm going to kick your arm" just doesn't sound like it means anything, and "I'm going to kick your penis" is just way too specific and creepy.

Also, I imagine parents from the dawn of time have threatened kids "I'm going to beat/whip/tan your ass if you don't behave", which means a huge percentage of our collective memory includes that language.
 
#9
Well, obviously in these situations "ass" refers to an individual and not necessarily that individuals buttocks. It's a concept that makes a bit more sense when I consider the fact that about twice a week, somebody will look me in the eye and with an upset and serious tone, will say "You're an ass".
 
#13
Wanderer81 said:
I know what they're saying. I just want to know why. If I'm going to beat someone up, I'll say just that. Not "I'm going to kick your ass."
Click to expand...


What does that mean, "beat someone up"?

Do you have to beat them in an upward fashion so that you aren't really "beating them down"?

Sorry, I'm a literalist and I don't understand your "beat up" slang. Where does that expression come from anyway? Why would you say that? I just want to know why.
 
#14
Matthew Bryson said:
What does that mean, "beat someone up"?

Do you have to beat them in an upward fashion so that you aren't really "beating them down"?

Sorry, I'm a literalist and I don't understand your "beat up" slang. Where does that expression come from anyway? Why would you say that? I just want to know why.
Click to expand...


;)


One should say: "I intend to hit you about the head and neck with my fists until tired, and then kick you with my feet in the buttocks and groin until they bleed. " Now, THAT I understand!!!
 
#16
Wanderer81 said:
I tend to be a literalist, so I tend to want to say.."What do you mean you're going to kick my ass? Why do you want to kick me in the ass?" or "What do you mean you laughed your ass off? It's still there."
Click to expand...

You can think that if you want, but never actually say it. If you do, you might (especially if they're using one of the angrier phrases) be struck in the face and other vulnerable parts of the body repeatedly by the person you were asking's weapon of choice.

See? Isn't it easier to just say something to the effect of "get beat up"? But seriously I knew this guy that thought it was funny to take everything like that literally and say it out loud, and no one liked him.
 
#18
bongomania said:
Until exactly what is bleeding- the feet, or the buttocks and groin? You'll need to be more clear with your pronouns if you want us to understand you.

:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Again, I apoligize. I meant to say that I would kick the groin and buttock, with my feet, until the groin and buttock bled blood. I hope that this statement clears up my most recent inaccuracies.


;)
 
#19
Matthew Bryson said:
What does that mean, "beat someone up"?

Do you have to beat them in an upward fashion so that you aren't really "beating them down"?

Sorry, I'm a literalist and I don't understand your "beat up" slang. Where does that expression come from anyway? Why would you say that? I just want to know why.
Click to expand...
ha Ha HA!! :D
So you caught me out.
 

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