Just for ducks

Posted by ESC on July 19, 2007

In Reply to: Just for ducks posted by Mike on July 16, 2007

: "Just for ducks" I first heard this phrase in the early 1970's and was told that it had currency in the user's family. I have since used it and have never found anyone else who was familiar with the phrase. The meaning is approximately equivalent to "just for the hell of it." Any more info?

A couple of references say "Ducks!" is the same as "calling dibs" or laying claim to something -- a seat or the last piece of pie, etc. Another says "ducks" means "Something that makes no difference...He can think what he likes, it ducks me." "Dictionary of American Regional English," Volume II, D-H, by Frederic G. Cassidy and Joan Houston Hall (1991, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass., and London, England). Page 225.

That probably doesn't get you any closer. But it's all I have.