That’s the same source I found which mentions the 3 theories & first use in print.I found this one mention though . . .
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/553754/how-did-the-phrase-back-at-square-one-originate
And in Scotland.Round here (North Yorkshire) 'borking' or 'boaking' is retching.
Where I live, many children are taught to say 'Ta'. I wasn't having that, or any baby-talk, so my kids said 'Thank you'.
I'm a bit puzzled here ... what's either Northern or baby talk about saying 'ta' for 'thankyou'? Or 'ta muchly' instead of 'thank you very much'?
In some regions, especially Nottingham, someone who declares it "a bit parky" is met with "don't be so nesh!"
'Nesh' is, as far as I'm aware, being sensitive to cold.
Yup, as kids we'd be told 'Dinna' werrit'. As in, What you are worrying about is not important.Werrit -to worry excessively.
I think a Stoke/Potteries phrase, or that's where I first and only heard it anyway.
hunck: I was referring to this passage...That’s the same source I found which mentions the 3 theories & first use in print.
I found this one mention though . . .
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/553754/how-did-the-phrase-back-at-square-one-originate
Seems to be, not to be, is the likely answer!Good find! That article seems to have the earliest reference in literature to returning to square one (1946), but the Radio Times' use way back in 1927 of the numbered visual key for radio commentary of football matches, where square 1 was back in one goal area, is also quite compelling. Are we sure that Shakespeare never employed the term?
Yes and a 'chops' as in a chat.Yup, as kids we'd be told 'Dinna' werrit'. As in, What you are worrying about is not important.
Here's one of my favourites - chopsin'. Always with the missing 'g', never 'chopsing'.
When I was late picking someone up a couple of years ago he accused me of chopsin'. That's talking with others in a friendly relaxed way, which you might enjoy so much you lose track of time.
We can 'ave a brew an' a chops.Yes and a 'chops' as in a chat.
But when you say 'brew' it's compulsory to do the hand action or else no one knows what you're on about (Peter Kay routine).We can 'ave a brew an' a chops.
Im a Cockney and everyone said Ta round my wayNorthernism, rather than 'baby-talk', I'd argue - similar to the definite article reduction t' for the.
Another theory is that it comes from the Gaelic, tapadh leibh/leit - but that seems pushing it to me.
Although a common claim, I don't really buy that it's a hangover from baby talk; I mean, there are plenty of examples of such linguistic simplification in the teaching of infants, so what would it be that would make this one stick in particular? It's so close to tak, takk, tack (Danish. Norwegian, Swedish) - especially with the harder 'a' sound used where I was brought up - that, if it is just a hangover from speech development, it's also a remarkable coincidence.
That theory has been dismissed if you look at the link.Good find! That article seems to have the earliest reference in literature to returning to square one (1946), but the Radio Times' use way back in 1927 of the numbered visual key for radio commentary of football matches, where square 1 was back in one goal area, is also quite compelling. Are we sure that Shakespeare never employed the term?
But users of the phrase have been using it incorrectly. The egg is all bad and the curate is just being tactful.I’ve just learned that the odd term ‘Curate's Egg’ as something which has both good & bad aspects comes from
in the US, "bork" is slang for broken/bustedMy dad used the word 'borking' for crying.
'chopping' and 'chapping' were trading. As in a 'chapman' was a peddler, carrying goods around for sale, and round here we have Chop Gate (pronounced 'Chop Yat') which is presumed to have been a market.We can 'ave a brew an' a chops.
I was chopsing. It's what you do with your chops.'chopping' and 'chapping' were trading. As in a 'chapman' was a peddler, carrying goods around for sale, and round here we have Chop Gate (pronounced 'Chop Yat') which is presumed to have been a market.
I seem to remember that 'chopping' for selling or swapping goods came from the Romany term. Although I might be mistaken on that one, it was a long time ago.....
Do the words have the same origin? Exchanging talk is very similar to exchanging goods.I was chopsing. It's what you do with your chops.
Your chops is your mouth, though the word is more usually associated with animals such as dogs and wolves.Do the words have the same origin? Exchanging talk is very similar to exchanging goods.
How does one 'earn their chops'?Your chops is your mouth, though the word is more usually associated with animals such as dogs and wolves.
It's used jokingly about humans. Animals don't chops.
My mum (Londoner) used to say 'let's wipe your chops' when she wiped our faces when we were small.Your chops is your mouth, though the word is more usually associated with animals such as dogs and wolves.
It's used jokingly about humans. Animals don't chops.
Where I live, many children are taught to say 'Ta'. I wasn't having that, or any baby-talk, so my kids said 'Thank you'.
in the US, "bork" is slang for broken/busted
"Damn car is borked, how am I gonna get to work?"