Odd phrase

Posted by Masakim on October 03, 2001

In Reply to: Odd phrase posted by merrick on October 03, 2001

: a phrase I use - but may be the only one...

: "...left sucking the mop again."

: meaning: let down, disappointed,
: left with a bad taste in your mouth...

: I think I heard the phrase somewhere and immediately added it to my speech... monty python? firesign theatre?

: any ideas anyone?

suck the mop, to phr. [mid-late 19C] for one omnibus to lose its passengers to those of a rival firm, which has boxed it in; thus _left sucking the mop_, rendered impotent and beyond hope, to be put at an utter disadvantage. [play on NURSE v. ; SE _mop_, a baby's dummy]
nurse v. ... 2 [mid-a9C] for one omnibus to follow a rival closely so as to poach its passengers.
From Cassell's Dictionary of Slang by Jonathon Green