Nobody's business

Posted by ESC December 04, 2003In 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.