My husband has laughed, sometimes long and hard, at some of
the family sayings I brought into our marriage.
What I thought were everyday turns of phrase turned out to be unique to
my childhood and stemmed from the combination of idioms passed down by my parents
who came from small towns in WA and SA. And
in turn, I’ve heard some of the lines from my husband’s childhood with three
brothers so often that I tend to forget it wasn’t my childhood. So let me share some of the colourful sayings
that my children will take with them when they leave home.
Round the corner for a big packet of Weeties! This one I
inherited from my mother. We often said
it when turning any kind of corner. My
husband found this nonsensical utterance very amusing and was sure it was something
my mother’s family had simply made up.
But in desperation to clear my family name, I googled long and hard and
found that there was a children’s radio show in Perth in the early days of
radio in Western Australia that was sponsored by Weeties. There was a live contest each week and, as
each child finished their turn at the mic, the announcer would say, “And round
the corner you go for a big packet of Weeties!”
Weeties were the sponsor and I think every contestant went home with a
packet even if they didn’t win.
Don’t just say! This one comes from husband’s family and was
used if an argument was supposedly settled but someone piped up with, “BUT I
was just saying…” I think it was
probably a parent who first said in exasperation, “Don’t just say!” It stuck
and was used by everyone in the family in the end. Now my husband and I say it in jest to one
another if we catch ourselves starting a sentence with “I was just saying”.
We go for firsties! Again, from my husband’s family. For use when someone has chosen something and
tries to change their mind. Best used by
an older brother who has outwitted a younger brother into choosing the poorer of
two options. There were no second
chances.
Let’s never let it
get messy again. This is one my husband
and I say whenever we have a major clean up.
If the shed has finally been put in perfect order, or the
walk-in-wardrobe conquered, we’ll pull an earnest face and say, “And now let’s
never let it get messy again!” and then laugh with gusto.
Better than a smack in the face with a wet fish. Inherited from my mother and useful for so
many situations. I used to think
everyone said this but now when I say it in shops or the like I get strange
looks. Am I the only one who still uses
this charming turn of phrase? May be it’s time to retire this one.
So have you inherited any odd sayings from your family? Do share!
