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Short in the grain

Posted by Paul Allen on June 02, 2005

I recently used the phrase "short in the grain" to indicate that someone was irritated. My wife and my friends had never heard the expression. I know I learned it and heard my father and uncle use it. The only place I have found any mention of it is from NZ, used the same way. Is anyone else familiar with this phrase, its meaning, and possible origin?

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