Comments on: How the cow ate the cabbage http://www.word-detective.com/2010/01/05/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:19:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: texas http://www.word-detective.com/2010/01/05/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/comment-page-1/#comment-22016 texas Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:00:32 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2009/07/15/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/#comment-22016 Oops! I've been assuming the origin of this saying had to do with the improbability of a cow eating a cabbage because cattle, unlike horses, have no upper front teeth and would not be able to grasp a large spherical object. What's worse, I've been sharing my opinion with older generations of my straigth-laced family for decades. I wonder if any of them were thinking "Sure, thats it!" :) Oops! I’ve been assuming the origin of this saying had to do with the improbability of a cow eating a cabbage because cattle, unlike horses, have no upper front teeth and would not be able to grasp a large spherical object. What’s worse, I’ve been sharing my opinion with older generations of my straigth-laced family for decades. I wonder if any of them were thinking “Sure, thats it!” :)

]]> By: Steve B. http://www.word-detective.com/2010/01/05/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/comment-page-1/#comment-15360 Steve B. Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:19:57 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2009/07/15/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/#comment-15360 I wonder if there is any correlation between the phrase "to see the elephant" and the scene in Tolkein's "The Two Towers" where Frodo & Sam see the "Oliphaunt," a creature that had been mythical to them previously, like much of the world outside of their native Shire? I wonder if there is any correlation between the phrase “to see the elephant” and the scene in Tolkein’s “The Two Towers” where Frodo & Sam see the “Oliphaunt,” a creature that had been mythical to them previously, like much of the world outside of their native Shire?

]]> By: 0uterj0in http://www.word-detective.com/2010/01/05/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/comment-page-1/#comment-15351 0uterj0in Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:07:24 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2009/07/15/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/#comment-15351 Go see the elephant also meant go conduct business with a prostitute. Go see the elephant also meant go conduct business with a prostitute.

]]> By: boogie freeze http://www.word-detective.com/2010/01/05/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/comment-page-1/#comment-13284 boogie freeze Mon, 14 Feb 2011 01:17:34 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2009/07/15/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/#comment-13284 A few years ago,I was in an arguement with my ex. After a couple years of hearing me use this expression,to my suprise she said,"you're always making up little sayings that you pass off as real!" I started laughing cause i've heard it all my life here in Louisiana. i think it's one of those cliches that alot of people just have never heard. I might add though that she wasn't the "sharpest tool in the shed"...now that one i made up. Silly girl A few years ago,I was in an arguement with my ex. After a couple years of hearing me use this expression,to my suprise she said,”you’re always making up little sayings that you pass off as real!” I started laughing cause i’ve heard it all my life here in Louisiana. i think it’s one of those cliches that alot of people just have never heard. I might add though that she wasn’t the “sharpest tool in the shed”…now that one i made up. Silly girl

]]> By: bob ferris http://www.word-detective.com/2010/01/05/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/comment-page-1/#comment-11786 bob ferris Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:09:12 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2009/07/15/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/#comment-11786 i too have used that expresion for many years, not knowing the real meaning of it. thanks, the day isn't a total loss. i too have used that expresion for many years, not knowing the real meaning of it. thanks, the day isn’t a total loss.

]]> By: John Pearson http://www.word-detective.com/2010/01/05/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/comment-page-1/#comment-8043 John Pearson Tue, 02 Nov 2010 01:51:46 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2009/07/15/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/#comment-8043 I have used this phrase all my life in the sense of telling the unvarnished truth. Often times people look at me like I've dropped in from another planet and I've had to mumble my way through an explanation. It's great to finally be able to explain it more or less intelligently (with an emphasis on the less?). I have used this phrase all my life in the sense of telling the unvarnished truth. Often times people look at me like I’ve dropped in from another planet and I’ve had to mumble my way through an explanation. It’s great to finally be able to explain it more or less intelligently (with an emphasis on the less?).

]]> By: Interesting http://www.word-detective.com/2010/01/05/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/comment-page-1/#comment-8015 Interesting Sat, 30 Oct 2010 16:03:10 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2009/07/15/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/#comment-8015 I've been misquoting 'how the cow ate the cabbage' for years. I've been saying, "I showed him where the cow ate the cabbage," but the meaning is pretty much the same. I’ve been misquoting ‘how the cow ate the cabbage’ for years. I’ve been saying, “I showed him where the cow ate the cabbage,” but the meaning is pretty much the same.

]]> By: Gredly Fornicator http://www.word-detective.com/2010/01/05/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/comment-page-1/#comment-4765 Gredly Fornicator Sat, 08 May 2010 00:40:27 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2009/07/15/how-the-cow-ate-the-cabbage/#comment-4765 Stick your spoon in the wall, to die. Where did this saying originate? It orginated in the Royal Navy and British Army at least by 1825. Then it ment one would have no need of a spoon at mess, that is they were either dead or such. Stick your spoon in the wall, to die. Where did this saying originate?

It orginated in the Royal Navy and British Army at least by 1825. Then it ment one would have no need of a spoon at mess, that is they were either dead or such.

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