Suit Yourself

Posted by Alex on May 20, 2004

In Reply to: Suit Yourself posted by Gary on May 20, 2004

: : What's going on with the phrase suit yourself? I recently said it to a co-worker of mine, and she was apparently feeling a bit saucy because she decided to throw it back in my face, and thus asked me to really ponder the meaning of this undefinable expression.

: : Well, I came up with it literally meaning: Hey buddy- grow up, and get dressed your damn self! Or, suit up, without support from another.

: : Soooo, the question herein lies- how does this translate into the common usage of this phrase? It being roughly- you're missing out!

: : Any thoughts?

: Suit is a word with many meanings. In the UK at least this phrase is taken to mean 'Please yourself', i.e. choose the thing that suits (pleases) you.

Well- You are certainly correct in that being one of the many uses today- but I was looking for something perhaps a bit more historical- The word suit, I'm sure, derives originally from something to do with clothing- and then spawned off into many different meanings.

"The verb meaning 'be agreeable or convenient' is 1578, probably from the notion of 'provide with a set of new clothes.'"

Not sure if this is too late a time period for this word...

Suit Yourself R. Berg 20/May/04
- Suit Yourself milky 21/May/04
  - Nah Rube 21/May/04
    - Nah R. Berg 21/May/04
      - But why else Rube 21/May/04
        
        But why else Word Camel 21/May/04
        
        But why else R. Berg 22/May/04