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A few more western ones

Posted by Word Camel on February 28, 2002

In Reply to: Parrots posted by ESC on February 28, 2002

: : : : : When my great grandfather was a cowboy. On his death bed, he held my grandfather's hand and said "I'm going over the Big Ridge. Look after your mama." I doubt the euphamism was his invention, I think it was probably just what they called it at the time - at least on the high plains in the United States. It's an apt metaphor for that part of the country.

: : : : : Anyway, I got to wondering if there were other regional euphamisms for death or dying. Somthing along the lines of "I'll be sleeping with the 'gators" for Florida maybe?

: : : : : And while I'm packing them in, another euphamism I like is "pushing up daisies". I think it's British but I'd be interested in its origin if anyone knows it.

: : : : There is the vicious euphemism "improved the gene pool" favoured by The Darwin Awards.

: : : : Monty Python's the Parrot Sketch is really just a list of such:
: : : : He's NOT pining - he's passed on!
: : : : This parrot is no more.
: : : : He has ceased to be.
: : : : He's expired and gone to meet his maker.
: : : : It's a stiff.
: : : : Bereft of life, he rests in peace.
: : : : If you hadn't nailed him to the perch, he'd be pushing up the daisies.
: : : : He's off the twig.
: : : : He's shuffled off this mortal coil.
: : : : He's run down the curtain and joined the bleeding choir invisible
: : : : ... ...
: : : : Vis-a-vis the metabolic processes, he's had his lot.
: : : : All statements to the effect that this parrot is still a going concern are henceforth inoperative. This is an EX-parrot.

: : : : TheUnlurker

: : : Ooh-ooh! Simulpostings! They're like busses, no-one posts for days and then fourteen come along all at once.

: : : It's enough to make one think to do oneself in.
: : : (Was that English?)

: : : TheUnlurker

: : The fact that two of you instantly referred to the Parrot Sketch is both frightening and inspiring.

: One that I heard in southern West Virginia isn't really a euphemism. It refers to the time period between death and burial. (The body isn't buried immediately -- a "wake" or "visitation" is held in the home or, more commonly now, the funeral home.) "Snow hasn't drifted that deep since John lay a corpse." Others: "No longer with us." "Gone to a better world." "Gone to be with the angels." Asleep in the arms of God." "Crossed over."

: I heard someone in WV refer to a death by gunshot: "He got his popcorn." Another violent death reference: "He got his killin' done."

: I believe the Salvation Army says their dearly departed are "promoted to glory."

I found two more in my grandfather's book. "laying down and curling up my toes", "pushing up sod".

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