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Cobblers awl

Posted by David FG on October 13, 2004

In Reply to: Cobblers awl posted by Lotg on October 13, 2004

: : : : : : CSI scene: CSI team are watching a security video taken of a big tough looking guy gambling in a casino. They notice that a little guy standing next to him keeps ripping off his chips under his nose. Eventually the big guy notices and threatens to flatten the little guy.

: : : : : : Jorja Fox says, "This guy's got stones taking on a big guy like that".

: : : : : : Obviously this is an equivalent of 'he's got guts or balls to take on a guy like that'. But why 'stones'? Is this a metaphor for testicles?

: : : : : Yes I believe so, cf "rocks". It may be an abbreviation/corruption of "balls of stone/like stones", which itself brings up the very similar expression "balls of steel".

: : : : Balls of steel - hmmm scary thought. Oh and BTW, my apologies - I should have said "CSI team 'IS' watching a security video...", not 'are watching'.

: : : Don't apologize for "the team are watching." That's very British, and quite acceptable, even here in the U.S. (Notice how I eschew the opportunity for a sour political joke.) And TF is, of course, right about stones. SS

: : Apologies to all, but you had to know that I would ask for a complete list of contributions.
: : Balls, stones, rocks, nuts, 'nads, gonads, cahones, lambambederos, jewels, testicles, etc.
: : Any others?

: Really like that 'lambambederos' - although it doesn't really just roll of the tongue (ummm... so to speak). Other contributions include: bollocks, cobblers (from the cockney rhyming slang - cobblers awl), prairie oysters (& no, I don't mean the hangover drink with a raw egg in it), and finally, one of my all time faves - cojones. I think I've exhausted all ideas I can come up with.

Nackers and nadgers (I've never written those words down before - it is strangely liberating!)

DFG

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