CREEKS DONT RAISE

Posted by Sauerkraut on September 16, 2000

In Reply to: CREEKS DONT RAISE posted by Jay on September 15, 2000

: I'm looking for the origin and meaning of the phrase.
: God's willing and the creeks don't raise.

ESC's referenced explanation of come hell or high water is a bit short of the nuance in the current phrase in question. Come hell or high water implies that something will be acted upon regardless of impediments. It carries the meaning of extreme determination.

God willing and the creek don't rise leaves some "waffle room" - there may be some circumstance that arises that thwarts action - couldn't do it because the creek flooded.