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Joined: Jun 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636 |
Has anyone ever heard of this phrase--"I guess I'd better get on the stick." Where did it come from and why. I used it today in the context of not putting a task off any longer.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866 |
The best I can do...
Refering to action arising from being hit by a stick? (eg taking a stick to a mule?)
stales
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Hi, c. Yes, that expression is used here. I sort of assumed it had something to do with the stick shift of a non-automatic car. [shrugging vaguely e]
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 428
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 428 |
Here's YART (No, not like you're thinking, this YART stands for Yet Another Random Theory  ): On the stick refers to the control stick of aircraft. "Getting on the stick" means taking control of a situation, as in, "Hey, co-pilot, could you get on the stick for a minute. I need to use the head."
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
I think Flatlander is on to something... getting on the stick is something i associate with pilots too.. the control mechanism is a stick.. i drive stick. ( and have for 30 years--How could that be?) and know expression like 3 on the tree,for 3 forward gears, with the controls mounted on the steering wheel shaft, or 4 (or 5) on the floor for floor controlled shifting, but i don't associate getting on the stick with driving. -- but it also might be related to radios some how.. since nowdays getting on the stick is usually about communicating information.
ps. i learned to drive with 3 on the tree, went on to 4 on the floor, and now drive 5 on the floor.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
The phrase "get on the stick" was common expression in WWII among GI's who would not knowingly have borrowed an AirForce expression. It was used like "get on the ball" which was of sports origin, meaning to start doing something important with vigor.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
but, bill, the phrase may predate WWII; the air force was originally part of the army. but. this is from the American-Australian Slang Dictionary (online): get on the stick phrase. (from the early 1900s, referring to starting to move a car by putting it in gear with its gear-shift stick) Begin working http://psy.otago.ac.nz:800/r_oshea/slang.html#G
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Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
<<The phrase "get on the stick" was common expression in WWII among GI's who would not knowingly have borrowed an AirForce expression.>>
This *is an interesting commentary on military culture in the United States. As an arugment against the aviation 'theory,' however, it is unconvincing.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866 |
re: "I learned to drive with 3 on the tree, went on to 4 on the floor, and now drive 5 on the floor".
One jump ahead of you H. Ditto for all the above, but recently sold the latest 5 speed and have started over...now getting around in a restored 1964 car with 3 on the tree. Funny thing you know, drive round in a $5,000 USD car (as i now do) and everybody wants to be your friend (remembering their youth, or Grandad's car etc). Drive round in a $50,000 USD car and everybody ignores you (or worse)!!!
Wish I could remember how to post a photo on MaxQ's site (or was it CapK's?) - I'd love y'all to see the old gal.
stales
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Expecting to be ridiculed, another connection I believe may be relevant was the common sight of an ethnic entrepreneur who made his living by playing an accordion, with a monkey who on command would jump onto a stick, which was then pointed towards a potential donor, and the monkey would take off his little hat and hold it out to collect coins for his owner. So, "getting on the stick" was used to mean "start earning my keep." Laugh if you will, but I remember seeing them in Boston many times in the twenties.
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