The working vocabulary of the average 14-year-old has declined in the last 50 years from 25,000 words to 10,000. Language reflects the depth of our human experience. Because we think in words, are we losing the capacity to say what we feel?
Like, whatever.
Cultivating your inner farmgirl?
Photo by Jacob Fowzer via Wikimedia Commons
Have a little fun with your friends and neighbors by throwing out a few old-fashioned farm phrases in casual—or, better yet, formal—conversation.
After all, if you’re going to walk the walk, you might as well talk the talk, right?
I guarantee that you’ll get a giggle from the puzzled expressions you receive in return.
Here are a few dandies to dabble with:
And, by all means, don’t skinny dip with snapping turtles!
While you’re on a roll, you can beef up your down-on-the-farm vocabulary with this glossary of farming terms.
Jennifer Memolo says: Too funny
Terry Steinmetz says: I loved reading these phrases. I remember my grandparents & my great grandparents using some of these phrases. Guess there’s more of a farmgirl in me than I thought!
Winnie Nielsen says: Most of these expressions are new to me. I guess I have been sheltered from the “true” insider wisdom of farm living! The funniest is the one about not skinny dipping with snapping turtles! In Florida that is very true as they are in abundance along with alligators! Yikes!
Hi MaryJane!
Having originally been raised in Texas, I’ve got a bunch of phrases like that. Even “city folk” use them in Texas! Two of my favorites: “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”. Doing so can cause you to feel “more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs”.
Farmgirl hugs,
Nicole
Angela Cleveland says: I love these. Most of us “natural-raised” farm girls say things like these without thinking. Moved to the city 10 years ago and the last few years my teenage son has called me out on them. The most recently one used by my dad to him was “I cut my teeth on that” and my son freaked and had to ask what that meant. So, this year at my parents we have a pack to all speak in our farm idioms and see how my city son handles it 😉
Ace says: Ashley and I know all too well that “A watched pot never boils!” 🙂 -ace
Laura Strick says: My all time favorite farm girl saying was said by my husbands grandmother. I still chuckle when I think of it. When she would see someone doing something she thought was strange she would chuckle and say
” Each to her own! Said the old woman when she kissed the cow.”
“Does the hitch come with the truck?”
Glampin’ Jane was fielding questions from a prospective buyer with a hankerin’ to haggle.
“Yes, ma’am. The whole shebang,” she assured.
“How about the seat covers?”
“You bet,” Jane agreed. “The full monty.”
“I’m gung-ho about going glamping in a pick-up truck,” the customer confessed.
“Will you throw in that little luggage rack for a couple hundred more?”
This gal drove a hard bargain, but Jane was set to sell,
lock, stock, and barrel.
Jane extended her hand.
“It’s a deal,” she said. “Take ’em both, neck and crop.”
Whoa …
Neck and crop?
That’s right:
the whole enchilada,
nine yards,
ball of wax ……….
The origin of this uncommonly uttered phrase is sketchy, but most say it had something to do with a horse (or maybe a rider) taking a spill.
I would have guessed it had something to do with a chicken.
Featherbrain!
In any case, “neck and crop” has come to mean completely, wholly, altogether, and at once.
Done!
Winnie Nielsen says: I have never heard this expression but I can imagine hearing it in the rural parts of America today. On a different note, I am in love with that vintage Chevy truck!!
Eileen Stone says: That is one beeUtiFULL truck!
Sarah says: What a fantastic photo! Love the truck, love the luggage, it is just perfect. I have never heard that expression either, but found it’s meaning and possible origin interesting. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Here’s how:
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What is this? What do all these vintage farm things do??