Origins of some old sayings....

[XDCX]

I was reading the reader comments following the Automotive News' story about Jim Press' pending departure from Chrysler and learned something about the origins of two expressions I occasionally use.

One of the very few "pro-Press" comments suggested that all of Press' detractors should be dismissed because they were probably so poor they "didn't even have a pot to piss in."

Another reader posted the origins of that saying - I thought it was very interesting.

Apparently, in the old days human urine was used in the process of tanning leather. Families that were on the edge of survival would collect their urine and sell it to the tannery for a few pennies. Families that had to do this were referred to as being "piss poor."

The even less fortunate families were so poor that they "didn't even have a pot to piss in."

I did some checking on the Internet and it seems like the explanation is correct. Now that I know the origins of those two sayings, I think I'll have to be more careful when I use them. :o

[Slo]

Those are usually the people who came in to the tent sales, got their $5 Walmart card, and couldn't understand why they couldn't finance a car with no provable income, a low 400s score, no money down, and no intention of ever making a payment...

[F&I Pro]

:)You mean the ones who ask:"Whats my payment, WITH the late charge?" Being former Law Enforcement, we called that a clue!

[XDCX]

:)You mean the ones who ask:"Whats my payment, WITH the late charge?" Being former Law Enforcement, we called that a clue!

That's funny. :)

The customers I could never figure out were the ones who went shopping for a vehicle when they knew they didn't have the credit to buy. Unless they derived some twisted pleasure out of torturing salespeople, I could never figure out why they would waste everyone's time. :mad:

[dafuzz1956]

Cheap entertainment, and it somehow raises their self esteem if they can get out of there without actually putting anything to paper.

later that night at the local tavern " Hey Joe I went out and drove a new Lincoln today and it was great !" Bartender says "that will be $1.50 for the beer."

[CL Pgh]

I lost a bet on this and will never forget it… maybe you already know this one???

Please excuse the profanity.

He doesn’t know Chit from Shinola!

This came from the WWII era… shinola was the main shoe polish used by our military personnel… from there you can figure out the rest of the sarcastic comparison. Supposedly the phrase originated & was commonly used in the barracks.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/images/shinola.jpg

[dafuzz1956]

That is from the old "BROWN SHOE " days in the military.

[XDCX]

He doesn’t know Chit from Shinola!


My dad uses that expression a lot. I never knew its origins either. :)

[XDCX]

later that night at the local tavern " Hey Joe I went out and drove a new Lincoln today and it was great !" Bartender says "that will be $1.50 for the beer."

Sadly, I think you hit the nail right on the head.

I imagine some people with their own self-confidence issues take pleasure in having others cater to them in an effort to sell a car. The fact that they've wasted someone's time probably makes them feel "superior."

[crowe]

I’m still amazed at the ones looking for a “Cash Price” discount. Let’s see we average about 1,400 extra per finance deal so we’ll need to add….. & you’ve got to learn to love the ones that couldn’t come up w/ the cash if you put a gun in their big mouth.

[XDCX]

I thought of this thread this morning when I received this picture as an attachment to an e-mail -

http://i50.tinypic.com/qz3wog.jpg

I've heard that expression hundreds of times but never knew where it came from. :)

[F&I Pro]

Gotta admit, it gives the saying a "hole" new meaning:rolley: