#80080
09/09/2002 1:39 PM
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1 |
Does any one know the origin of the expression, "Piss Elegant"? thanks
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#80081
09/09/2002 2:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
I'd never heard the expression before. I found dozens of sites using it, but
no clue as to date of origin.
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#80082
09/09/2002 2:52 PM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
And, equally as helpful, I've heard it (not in a long time) but don't know its origin. Is it a Brit expression?
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#80083
09/09/2002 3:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346 |
>>piss elegant
Is it a Brit expression?May be, Auntie Entity (recently revisited Mad Max 3  ), but it's not a frequently-used term in my experience. More well-used amongst Australasians, I believe -- but they can speak for themselves. It means OTT (over the top) or taking-the-piss elegant. Going out for a pizza in evening dress, perhaps. Trying to look stylish, but ending up looking twee, possibly even pathetic. Of course you could have piss elegant objects as well -- or rather objets.  P.S. Greetings, pugrant!
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#80084
09/09/2002 8:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,819
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,819 |
Welcome pugrant.
Can anyone explain the origin of "twee" as in "to look twee"?
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#80085
09/09/2002 8:54 PM
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 742
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 742 |
Main Entry:twee
Pronunciation: twë
Function: adjective
Etymology:baby-talk alteration of sweet
Date:1905
chiefly British : affectedly or excessively dainty, delicate, cute, or quaint <such a theme might sound twee or corny — Times Literary Supplement>
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#80086
09/11/2002 6:05 AM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 618
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 618 |
I've never used this particular variant of the piss prefix, but *we use it in place of very, usually in association with a negative description of something. As in, "The sentence I just wrote was piss poor.", or "That was a piss weak definition". Things can also be piss easy, which often means too easy. Things can also be easy as piss. This doesn't mean easy as very but.
I had never thought of the 'taking-the-piss' origin, but it makes a lot of sense.
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#80087
09/12/2002 4:32 PM
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 322
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 322 |
The other day, my Australian roommate looked out the window and declared, "It's pissing pissing" (emphasis on the first pissing); to which I replied, "... as opposed to just pissing". Now I can't wait for the next massive downpour, so I can use this phrase.
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#80088
09/13/2002 8:36 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346 |
"It's pissing pissing"Harrumph! (copyright from Auntie required) Doesn't seem that long ago when saying "it's pissing down" was an intensifier, on a par with "it's absolutely chucking it down". It also expressed being pissed-off with the fact that it was raining. Somehow or other the word's been watered down and now pissing just means raining, that's the problem here. Well, it's a problem to the extent that, like me, you prefer the Absolute Gravity of your expletives kept good n' high. Actually this is a regional thing, 'cos if you looked out of the window and said "it's pissing" in Britland (even omitting the "down") I reckon most people would assume you meant it was raining heavily.
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#80089
09/13/2002 12:01 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
Haven't heard that in awhile! However it was quite popular in my youth (and a bit daring for a lady to use!)
Meant someone who dressed "over the top" for any occasion.
Around here, "pissing down rain" means it's a steady drizzle, not a downpour.
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