Comments on: Had the radish

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 15:51:25 +0000

Perhaps it has to do with the widespread belief that wild radish (shepherdspurse) is toxic to sheep. The saying seems to be localized in Vermont, where I am a lifelong resident, and where keeping sheep was a widespread way of life 150 years ago. Seems likely that farmers may have described sick or dying sheep as having “had the radish” If it was known to or even thought to make livestock sick.

By: Kathy S.

Kathy S. — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 01:32:21 +0000

I also used the phrase where something has ‘been through the radish’ – meaning it was worn. I guess my mother used to say this- I’m not sure – it just came out one time to explain something worn out. My friend had never heard of it so I googled it. Funny thing- I also grew up in Vermont.

By: Don Worth

Don Worth — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:00:30 +0000

Thank God I found someone that knows what this means. Beginning to think I made it up as a kid.

By: Ziggy2Times

Ziggy2Times — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:49:25 +0000

My Dad, born and raised in Northern Vermont, told me the origin related to poisoning radishes and positioning them around your garden that is being raided by wild rabbits. When the offending rabbit has had the radish, he is done for. For all I know he was pulling my leg, but a colorful explanation none the less.

By: Anna

Anna — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:47:12 +0000

I just used the phrase this morning: I moved a chair in our living room and noticed the fabric is heavily faded and threadbare, and said, “I think that chair’s finally had the radish.” And then thought, “I wonder where that phrase came from?” I’ve used it all my life, but you are right: searching brought up little–though I would offer one clarification. While it could have a sense of “I’m in trouble/there’s impending doom,” it’s more in a resigned, final, or accepting way; less so in the pork reference/action still happening/caught red-handed sense. But always in the sense of “it’s done/finished/kaput.”

Interestingly, I live and grew up in Vermont, and the majority of questions or first-hand references that I found on the web were cited from here (including the one above).

For my money, I like Holger’s explanation above–it makes sense.

Thanks for exploring this!

By: Adam Adamson

Adam Adamson — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:33:44 +0000

Just a speculation, but I had a mental image of a plate of food (including salad) with a nice big radish on it (not little slices). Having been served plates like this, I have the distinct impression that radish eating is often the object of procrastination. I know, some people actually like radishes, but I think most probably endure them politely. So when one actually has eaten the radish, then one is thoroughly finished with the meal. Thus, “I’m afraid Aunt Matilda had the radish when she heard Uncle Jeff bought the farm,” came to mean she was “finished.”

By: Holger

Holger — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:27:38 +0000

In German, we have the phrase “sich die Radieschen von unten ansehen”, literally, “to look at the radishes from below”. The closest translation would be “to be pushing up the daisies”, and the rationale for the phrase seems obvious: If you’re dead and buried, you can (sort of) look at radishes and other plants from below (or push them up, or tickle their roots, or whatever).

I’d say that when you’re six feet under, you’re definitely in big trouble, so the meaning seems to fit. Maybe the radish metaphor somehow took the leap from German to English, or perhaps someone up in New England just had the same idea.

Just a thought.