phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

"sew buttons on your underwear."

Posted by Brian from Shawnee on June 09, 2006

In Reply to: "Sew buttons on your underwear." posted by Bob on June 09, 2006

: : : : : "sew buttons on your underwear." What is the origin of this saying? Where does it come from and what does it mean exactly??

: : : : ?I never heard the expression, but it sounds to me a bit like ironing your husband's underwear--a totally wasted bestowing of care and fastidiousness.
: : : : SS

: : : "Sew buttons on your underwear" is a nonsense
: : reply to the unanswerable question "so what?".
: : : BTW, some boxers do have a functional button on the fly, whereas briefs (a.k.a. tighty whities) do not.

: : So--it's a pun based on a homonym. Kind of clever. Where did you hear it, Brian of Shawnee, olim Brian of New Jersee? SS

: There's a person in my office who will answer someone who asks him "So?" with "Sew buttons on your underwear," as a mild (semi-silly) reproach to the perceived over-directness of the question.

I heard it from a guy who used to work in my office, maybe ten years ago. The guy was originally from Connecticut. I'd never heard it before and come to think of it I've never heard it live since he left the company.

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