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Re: Pull your finger out

Posted by R. Berg on March 25, 2006

In Reply to: Re: Pull your finger out posted by Smokey Stover on March 25, 2006

: : : Does anyone know where the phrase "pull your finger out" came from?
: : : I've got a nice idea that it came from a finger trap but it would be nice if it was true.

: :
: : I've never heard that phrase used other than literally. Yes, I know I'm very naive, but what is the meaning you have in mind? Or perhaps someone else can enlighten me. SS

: It's a really long stretch, but could this be a metaphorical reference to the story of Hans Brinker, the Dutch boy who stopped a leak in the dyke by putting his finger in the hole? ?SS?

Smokey, I think you want the other spelling: "dike." And, no, the slang phrase alludes to a hole, all right, but an anatomical one.