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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1 |
Yesterday, a WWII veteran gave an interview in which he said, in regard to how he felt on D-Day, "I was as emotional as all get out (or getout)." Is there a history to this expression: "as all get out"? The expression was common to me in the forties (I was about 8), used in so many ways: as happy as all get out; as tired as all get out, as beautiful as all get out, as fast or slow as all get out, etc. Of course, there are many interchangeable expressions, "emotional as hell, emotional as shit, etc., but is there anything more to "as all get out"?
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204 |
Hello, Popser, and welcome aBoard.
Yes, I remember the expression from about that time, too - perhaps not with very common useage but not especially rare, either. It's meaning is obvious from context, of course, but I've no idea where it originated.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
It survived well into the 60s, at least, when I was growing up. My friends and I used it all the time. But no idea as to its origin. Great question, Pops, and welcome to the Board.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
Welcome Popser! Good post ... isn't it surprising how phrases we have known and used suddenly strike us as odd? No help here but to say I heard my parents use the phrase, - and that was eons ago - as I did and do myself. I am very old! HA! :)
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Joined: Sep 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204 |
It strikes me that it is a euphemism for "hell" - one of very many on both sides of the pond. (c.f.the 'Hecka' thread)
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