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Nobody's business

Posted by ESC on December 04, 2003

In Reply to: Origins of the phrase "like nobodies business" posted by Fred on December 04, 2003

: : Mornin' All,

: : Just wondering about the origins of this phrase... as far as I can remember its a phrase that avoids you swearing, like "Bloomin' heck" as apposed to "Bleeding Hell", usually said with a pause... i.e.

: : "Like.... nobodies business"

: : Searched all over Google and Turbo10 but can't find anything.

: : Any help appreciated.

: Type 'nobody's business' in the Search box and you'll get some results.

I've never heard it used in place of an oath. The two ways I have heard the phrase "nobody's business":
1. In the literal sense, as in the song:
AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS IF I DO
(Porter Grainger / Everett Robbins)

There ain't nothing I can do
Or nothing I can say
That folks don't criticize me
But I'm going to do
Just as I want to anyway
And don't care just what people say

If I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean
Ain't nobody's business if I do. . .

2. To mean "all out," at top speed. "He was running like nobody's business."

I'll look for more information on the origin.

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