Word origin question - 09/09/02 01:39 PM
Does any one know the origin of the expression, "Piss Elegant"? thanks
Re: Word origin question - 09/09/02 02:01 PM
I'd never heard the expression before. I found dozens of sites using it, but
no clue as to date of origin.
no clue as to date of origin.
Re: Word origin question - 09/09/02 02:52 PM
And, equally as helpful, I've heard it (not in a long time) but don't know its origin. Is it a Brit expression?
Re: Word origin question - 09/09/02 03:15 PM
>>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!
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!
Re: Word origin question - 09/09/02 08:12 PM
Welcome pugrant.
Can anyone explain the origin of "twee" as in "to look twee"?
Can anyone explain the origin of "twee" as in "to look twee"?
Re: Word origin question - 09/09/02 08:54 PM
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>
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>
Re: Word origin question - 09/11/02 06:05 AM
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.
I had never thought of the 'taking-the-piss' origin, but it makes a lot of sense.
Re: Word origin question - 09/12/02 04:32 PM
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.
Pissing down - 09/13/02 08:36 AM
"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.
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.
Re: Piss elegant - 09/13/02 12:01 PM
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.
Meant someone who dressed "over the top" for any occasion.
Around here, "pissing down rain" means it's a steady drizzle, not a downpour.