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Both legs/ Mule or donkey?

Posted by SR on February 24, 2004

In Reply to: Both legs posted by Shae on February 22, 2004

: : : : My mom used to use this, any ideas on its origins, other than my mom?

: : : : Talk the hind leg off a mule

: : : : Thanks

: : : Not just your mom, not by a long shot. This expression was old when your mom was a teeny-bopper. If she ever was. SS

: : Well, it's not just the "hind legs off a donkey." This phrase is just one in a series. Here are some examples from This Dog'll Really Hunt: An Entertaining Texas Dictionary by Wallace O. Chariton:

: : Talk water into a boil at 20 paces.
: : Talk the hide off a longhorn bull.
: : Talk the hide off a gila monster.
: : Talk the legs off an iron stove.
: : Talk a wagon out of a ditch.
: : Talk the ears off a wooden Indian.

: : And from previous discussions:
: : Talk the bark off a tree.
: : Talk the hind leg off a donkey.
: : Talk the hind leg off an iron pot.

: We're a bit more accomplished at this sort of thing here in Ireland. We 'talk the hind legs off a horse.'

: When I was growing up in Ireland, my granny used to say, "talk the hind legs off an ass!"
:There is an old story of Pat and Mike who bought a beast of burden to help out on the farm. Mike insisted it was a mule, while Pat insisted it was a donkey. To settle the argument, they asked the local parish priest to settle the dispute. Not wanting to alienate either one, he said that in Biblical terms, it was known as an ass.
A little while later, the animal died, and while digging its grave, Pat and Mike were approached by the parish priest who inquired if it was a post hole they were digging. "Not according to the Bible, Father!" they replied.

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