Get Your Skates On! - Can anyone else confirm the rather rude origin of this phrase?!

Posted by Ade on February 09, 2000

In Reply to: Get Your Skates On! - Can anyone else confirm the rather rude origin of this phrase?! posted by Gary Martin on February 07, 2000

: I can't offer any corroboration of my explanation I'm afraid. None of the usual references list the phrase. Not that reference books are definitive in any case - they often just repeat received wisdom. I'm just relying here on plausibility and a "I've always known that" mentality - again not always a reliable guide.

: Phrase derivations, while often bizarre, do usually have some logic though. If the derivation was as your informants suggest then wouldn't it be 'get on (or into) your skate'? Why would the plural be used? Copulating with fish isn't really my thing but I would have thought that one at a time would be sufficient even for a sailor. (Perhaps I live too sheltered a life?) Also, the meaning of the phrase is 'hurry up - go fast'. Its difficult to see a route from the sexual activity to that meaning.

: Gary

Fair Point Gary....
It does seem unusual that the phrase is not listed in 'authoritative' reference books though!
Thanks for your comments - It was my first time here in this discussion forum, but some
of the stupid flaming comments from people nearly made it my last...
Thanks Anyway!
Ade