phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Bottom it

Posted by George Truenman on January 04, 2000

In Reply to: Bottom it posted by Vic Harding on January 04, 2000

: To "bottom it" in Yorkshire about 50 years ago was to clean thoroughly. For example, one could sweep or mop around the furniture, or one could bottom it by moving the furniture around and cleaning out the cupboards. I have been away from England for many decades, and would be interested to know if this phrase is still in use in this context.

I fear time has moved on and the expression has gone the way of 'Gay' and acquired sexual connotations and hence is not used much, if at all, in polite society.

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.