Short in the grain

Posted by ESC on June 05, 2005

In Reply to: 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?

I haven't found anything. Sorry. I've heard (in the U.S.) "being 'short' with someone." Rude or irritated. Cutting someone off in mid-sentence.

• Short in the grain ESC 05/June/05