Sew buttons on ice cream

Posted by Parthian on August 30, 2007

In Reply to: Sew buttons on ice cream posted by Parthian on August 30, 2007

: : What is the origin and meaning of "sew buttons on ice cream"? A relative of my husband would always reply to "So?" with Sew buttons on ice cream"

: :sounds American to me,the OED has ice-cream first used in 1744 if that is any help.

:sorry,as to meaning,I think your relative is wrong,the phrase more naturally is "It is like sewing buttons on ice-cream"-meaning an utterly futile task.