Comments on: Wool http://www.word-detective.com/2010/06/wool/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:32:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Christine http://www.word-detective.com/2010/06/wool/comment-page-1/#comment-59229 Christine Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:32:55 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=3371#comment-59229 Yup, yup, yup! 54 years old, grew up in central W.V. as did my parents and three of 4 grandparents. Remember ALL of my grand parents using the "VERB" wool. LOL. Pertaining to puppies and kitties for sure....and babies, but in exclusively. Definately had a connotation of wearing something/someone out! "Don't wool it (me ) around so". Good to know that there are others! Most folks just think I'm nuts....which is true. ;D Yup, yup, yup! 54 years old, grew up in central W.V. as did my parents and three of 4 grandparents. Remember ALL of my grand parents using the “VERB” wool. LOL. Pertaining to puppies and kitties for sure….and babies, but in exclusively. Definately had a connotation of wearing something/someone out!
“Don’t wool it (me ) around so”. Good to know that there are others! Most folks just think I’m nuts….which is true. ;D

]]> By: Joy http://www.word-detective.com/2010/06/wool/comment-page-1/#comment-55788 Joy Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:59:06 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=3371#comment-55788 I grew up in Indiana, and my parents would warn us kids "don't wool the plants around" when we picked green beans, so that we wouldn't break the plants or knock the blossoms off. I agree with the theory that this phrase had its origins in the 19th century use of the word "wool", as bothering or abusing someone/thing. It makes perfect sense. Since it seemed to be used in different parts of the country, it might not be so much of a regional expression as one connected to a time period. Like many old words and phrases, wool as a verb is falling out of use. I grew up in Indiana, and my parents would warn us kids “don’t wool the plants around” when we picked green beans, so that we wouldn’t break the plants or knock the blossoms off. I agree with the theory that this phrase had its origins in the 19th century use of the word “wool”, as bothering or abusing someone/thing. It makes perfect sense. Since it seemed to be used in different parts of the country, it might not be so much of a regional expression as one connected to a time period. Like many old words and phrases, wool as a verb is falling out of use.

]]> By: Karen http://www.word-detective.com/2010/06/wool/comment-page-1/#comment-54775 Karen Thu, 24 Jan 2013 02:31:46 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=3371#comment-54775 My mother used "wool" as a verb in the same way others have described. When children wouldn't leave a pet alone, she would say "You're woolin' it to death." Something just brought this to mind and I tried to look up the use of wool as a verb, so I'm glad I found this site! I am from central Appalachia - the eastern corner of Kentucky. My mother used “wool” as a verb in the same way others have described. When children wouldn’t leave a pet alone, she would say “You’re woolin’ it to death.” Something just brought this to mind and I tried to look up the use of wool as a verb, so I’m glad I found this site! I am from central Appalachia – the eastern corner of Kentucky.

]]> By: Marla http://www.word-detective.com/2010/06/wool/comment-page-1/#comment-52207 Marla Sat, 29 Dec 2012 20:20:25 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=3371#comment-52207 I grew up in KY and my family always used this word as a verb. My Grandfather used it....he was originally from Illinois and my Father used it....his family from KY and Illinois. We always smile when we say it..."the big dog wools the new puppy". I grew up in KY and my family always used this word as a verb. My Grandfather used it….he was originally from Illinois and my Father used it….his family from KY and Illinois. We always smile when we say it…”the big dog wools the new puppy”.

]]> By: Amy http://www.word-detective.com/2010/06/wool/comment-page-1/#comment-45564 Amy Wed, 07 Nov 2012 01:28:26 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=3371#comment-45564 YES! my family uses the word wool to be similar to manhandle. Frequently referring to kittens. Don't wool the kittens. YES! my family uses the word wool to be similar to manhandle. Frequently referring to kittens. Don’t wool the kittens.

]]> By: Dorothy http://www.word-detective.com/2010/06/wool/comment-page-1/#comment-41904 Dorothy Sat, 07 Jul 2012 04:14:50 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=3371#comment-41904 Our family uses the term to mean manhandle. "Stop wooling the cat!" I think we originally heard it from friends from Arkansas. Our family uses the term to mean manhandle. “Stop wooling the cat!” I think we originally heard it from friends from Arkansas.

]]> By: Don http://www.word-detective.com/2010/06/wool/comment-page-1/#comment-41631 Don Tue, 03 Jul 2012 01:29:13 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=3371#comment-41631 Dear Word Detective: Thanks for a very good Website. I'm glad to find some folks that are familiar with the expression "to wool [usually a person, object, or thought] around." I grew up in Oklahoma and I heard the term used in several different ways. The form that stuck in my young mind was the one that referred to a person, as in: "He tried to wool me around to get me to agree," or "That lawyer tried to wool me around when I testified." The phrase could also refer to mulling an idea or matter over, as in, "I need to wool that around in my mind awhile, and then I'll let you know." It's interesting to read the January 27, 2012 post by Lee, who said her/his family had roots in Missouri. Both sets of my grandparents came from Missouri and that could explain why I heard the "wool around" and "wooling around" expressions so frequently in rural Oklahoma. Don Dear Word Detective:

Thanks for a very good Website. I’m glad to find some folks that are familiar with the expression “to wool [usually a person, object, or thought] around.”

I grew up in Oklahoma and I heard the term used in several different ways. The form that stuck in my young mind was the one that referred to a person, as in: “He tried to wool me around to get me to agree,” or “That lawyer tried to wool me around when I testified.” The phrase could also refer to mulling an idea or matter over, as in, “I need to wool that around in my mind awhile, and then I’ll let you know.”

It’s interesting to read the January 27, 2012 post by Lee, who said her/his family had roots in Missouri. Both sets of my grandparents came from Missouri and that could explain why I heard the “wool around” and “wooling around” expressions so frequently in rural Oklahoma.

Don

]]> By: Lee http://www.word-detective.com/2010/06/wool/comment-page-1/#comment-34083 Lee Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:28:08 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=3371#comment-34083 My family's used wool as a verb for generations - definitely since the 1800's - this would be in Missouri. "Don't wool your grandmother so much." It meant - don't wear her out. Don't wool the dog. Don't wool the kitten. Be careful how much you wool your sweater, your doll, etc. My family’s used wool as a verb for generations – definitely since the 1800′s – this would be in Missouri. “Don’t wool your grandmother so much.” It meant – don’t wear her out. Don’t wool the dog. Don’t wool the kitten. Be careful how much you wool your sweater, your doll, etc.

]]> By: jean http://www.word-detective.com/2010/06/wool/comment-page-1/#comment-26899 jean Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:41:43 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=3371#comment-26899 Wooled! My family uses the word in exactly the same way, with the same connotations of dog slobber. We are from southern Appalachia. When I have had a very bad day at work, I will tell my husband, "I feel wooled." He knows what I mean, but my friends look at me like I'm crazy. Wooled! My family uses the word in exactly the same way, with the same connotations of dog slobber. We are from southern Appalachia. When I have had a very bad day at work, I will tell my husband, “I feel wooled.” He knows what I mean, but my friends look at me like I’m crazy.

]]> By: Mary http://www.word-detective.com/2010/06/wool/comment-page-1/#comment-12047 Mary Sat, 22 Jan 2011 14:53:36 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=3371#comment-12047 My mother, b. 1908, northern Idaho, used the term in the sense of a puppy playing with a stuffed toy, and mouthing the object until worn, wet and tangled. I used the term to my 46 year old son this morning and he produced an "are you crazy look". Can't find the term on Google, but was delighted to read Linda's recounting of her father's use, exactly the same, and from the same geographic region. My mother, b. 1908, northern Idaho, used the term in the sense of a puppy playing with a stuffed toy, and mouthing the object until worn, wet and tangled. I used the term to my 46 year old son this morning and he produced an “are you crazy look”. Can’t find the term on Google, but was delighted to read Linda’s recounting of her father’s use, exactly the same, and from the same geographic region.

]]> By: john http://www.word-detective.com/2010/06/wool/comment-page-1/#comment-12013 john Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:06:47 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=3371#comment-12013 My wife also uses the verb "to wool" when I hug her and move her around: "don't wool me around". My wife also uses the verb “to wool” when I hug her and move her around: “don’t wool me around”.

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