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Anyone know the origin of the phrase "pulling a fast one"?
And how many other pull phrases are you aware of?
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Is this related to Faldage's "pull a (insert person's name)"? Why is it bad, if you can say? There is 'pulling my leg' and 'pull a double' (hi, WO'N).
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yes, related in the sense that it stems from the same thread on another board, but triggering in a different direction so I didn't want to mudificate his waters!
One meaning of "pull" in the UK is about 'sexual conquest' - it gives er, rise to phrases like "I think I've pulled there" and "going on the pull". But it struck me there's a whole nother nest of pull phrases too.
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Oh, dear--that's what I was afraid of! Thanks, though. I'm glad you didn't try to pull the wool over my eyes.
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journeyman
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journeyman
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I'm glad you didn't try to pull the wool over my eyes.
Brilliant deduction, Jackie.
"Pulling a fast one" refers to the mugger's practice of pulling the wig ["the wool"] over the eyes of the 'mark' whilst the mark is relieved of his valuables.
The mugger disappears into the crowd leaving the 'mark', like a fish out of water, to re-pate-riate his dignity.
[Little wonder the wig fell out of favor.]
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And then there is just plain "having pull" and also "pull it off" which has nothing to do with Lorena Bobbit
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stranger
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stranger
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as for the origin, i wonder if it's something to do with a slight of hand?
as for others, how about:
pulling your leg
pulling the wool over one's eyes
and (mother to child or childish spouse) 'don't even THINK you're going to pull that one on me'
'course, there's always 'pull my finger', but.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Pull the other one, it's got bells on.
stemming from pull someone's leg
Bingley
Bingley
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Pull your own weight
Pull one's irons out of the fire
Pulling when you oughta push
Pull over
Pull out of harbour
To pull someone's chain
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And in "working man's" jargon, you'd say "pulling a shift" or "I don't have seniority, so I have to pull the graveyard shift." (for instance) [or, as Jackie pointed out  , "pull a double."] Pull an all-nighter Did a little partying back in the day, eh, Father Steve? Welcome to the club! 
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Pull an all-nighter Did a little partying back in the day, eh, Father Steve?
And how do you know that the padre didn't pull the sort of all-nighter mentioned at Luke 6:12?
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No, pull an all-nighter means to study, or, possibly, work all night when normally you don't.
Edit: or the kind in Luke 6:12.
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and let's not forget Pulled Over-- which is US idiom for being stopped by a cop--
as in I got pulled over by a cop for not having my seat belt fastened
and a push me/pull me -- a door that is either pushed or pulled open (think of the Far Side cartoon, with the kid pulling on a door labeled Push Here)
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"I pulled out of that parking spot and pulled into the one closer to the entrance."
It seems to be something one *does with an auto.
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"Pulling a fast one" refers to the mugger's practice of pulling the wig ["the wool"] over the eyes of the 'mark'...
Interesting - got any citation on that?
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journeyman
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journeyman
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got any citation on that?
Nope, not chapter and verse anyway.
I think it was in a book by Willard Espy who published a collection of phrases which we still use today without understanding the original context.
One of those phrases was "pulling the wool over a person's eyes", hence, "pulling a fast one".
It seemed plausible to me because a street thief needs to work fast if he wants to stay in business.
But I'm open to other interpretations, mav.
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Pooh-Bah
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Someone who has a lot of pull may not have to pull his own weight. You can also pull something out of thin air.
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No, pull an all-nighter means to study, or, possibly, work all night when normally you don't.Ah, but it also means to party till dawn, either or. We used to close down the Wildwoods at 3 am, then head up to a club near Atlantic City called the Dunes which was open all night, and whose slogan was "The Dunes 'til Dawn!" And we used to say, "We gotta stop pulling these all-nighters or we're going to burn ourselves out." But an "all-nighter" could be just a casual house party, too...sitting around playing music or listening to tunes, and (well, you get the picture  ...some folks called it the "beer and pizza for breakfast" scene...but I never went in for the beer 'n' pizza in the morning thing, eggs and coffee always).
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Carpal Tunnel
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and coffeeVariation on a theme, eh, Juan?
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Carpal Tunnel
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Thus initiating the idea of the BYOK party
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Variation on a theme, eh, Juan?Sounds like the voice of experience, eh, ASp?
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Carpal Tunnel
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voice of experienceWell, only insomuch as you introduced me to the term "coffee-AND"... 
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Carpal Tunnel
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we used to say, "We gotta stop pulling these all-nighters or we're going to burn ourselves out."
Well, then, obviously you-all were using it ironically, thus backing up my (implied) assertion that pulling an all-nighter carries the connotation of something negative.
There is also: pull no punches and pull out all the stops.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Then again there is taking a long pull off a cold beverage
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a long pull off a cold beverage Ah, yes--and some of us have had more experience with that than others!
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I'll just bet you've taken a long pull or two off a cold iced tea in your day
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Indeed! I remember one summer afternoon when I was a kid, I'd been out playing batball or kickball for a long time, and when I came in I drank five big glasses straight down.
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Can't believe y'all missed "pull up your socks" meaning to stop dogging it and get on with the work, or to pull yourself out of a funk and cheer up also in the sense of getting on with the job at hand.
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Can't believe y'all missed
Geez, wouldn't have anything to do with never having heard it, I don't suppose.
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Carpal Tunnel
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hehe. haven't heard pull up your socks used that way, wow, though I have one son who is forever pulling up his socks! I have heard "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps", however...
formerly known as etaoin...
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"pull up your socks" meaning to stop dogging it ...
Interesting wow - only on reading this a second time did it occur to me what had been bugging me for attention. It's that I have never been aware of it in this precise format - I've always seen and heard "pull your socks up!". Is your slightly different word order what you or others around you actually use? Anyone else got any input on this?
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>Anyone else got any input on this?
Only to say that, for the first time in the herstory of herstory, I agree with you. I've never heaerd "pull up your socks" - the command has always ended with the preposition here.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Pull your chin up!
Pull your shoulders back!
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Either word order is normal for me, mav.
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Pulling Taffy [disclaimer: Warning -- food-thread potential] An Old-Time Taffy Pull was a recipe as well as a social event! Thought you might enjoy this one, Jackie. 'Course, down here we call it "salt water taffy." http://www.recipesource.com/desserts/candy/04/rec0419.html
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Nope--I've never pulled taffy, nor made it either. Don't you think I pull enough weight as it is?
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taffy pull
NOTE: If taffy becomes too stiff to pull, reheat in a 350 degree oven 3 to 5 minutes.I know many a Taffy who may feel this is presumptuous behaviour...
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Nope--I've never pulled taffy, nor made it either. Don't you think I pull enough weight as it is?Awww...I just thought you'd enjoy the quaint nostalgic Americana of it all, as opposed to partying all night.
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