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Re: Sunday drive

Posted by Grapeshine on January 30, 2005

In Reply to: Sunday drive posted by Miri Barak on January 30, 2005

: Hello
: I would like to know what is the meaning of "Sunday Drive", or what is unique about her. Here we have saturday drivers - they don't know how to drive.

: My context, still from mythbusters:
: "From the first time primitive man went out for a Sunday drive, our biggest automotive fear has been the breakdown."

: Thank you so much!

I'm not certain of the exact etymology of the phrase "sunday drive", but I suspect that its origins come from simpler times when the only thing to do on sunday was attend church. Since it wasn't a proper work day, not to mention the Sabbath, this afforded a family the opportunity to drive back home at a leisurely pass, perhaps even stopping to have a picnic or to examine nature in some fashion. In other words, this is a carefree and pleasent drive.

If someone calls you a "sunday driver", however, the phrase is likely being used as a pejorative, and could be meant to suggest the following:
-You drive slowly
-You are not paying attention while driving
-You are more interested in what's going on around you, than in your driving.

In sum, to be called a "sunday driver" is an insult; to go on a "sunday drive" is fun.