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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
English in UK

"to hang fire"

My mother uses this expression in the context : "those cakes are hanging fire - would someone please clear them up for me".

Anyone know the origin of this phrase? Many of her expression are Staffs/Warcks dialect.
Thanks.
  

Top answer

[nq:1]My mother uses this expression in the context : "those cakes are hanging fire - would someone please clear them up for me". Anyone know the origin of this phrase? Many of her expression are Staffs/Warcks dialect.

— Usenet

  • [nq:1]My mother uses this expression in the context : "those cakes are hanging fire - would someone please clear them up for me".
  • Anyone know the origin of this phrase?
  • Many of her expression are Staffs/Warcks dialect.
  • usage: [nq:1]A hang-fire is a situation where there is a delay between the application of the firing mechanism (trigger, match, whatever) ...
  • the control of the shooter.
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3 Answers
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[nq:1]My mother uses this expression in the context : "those cakes are hanging fire - would someone please clear them up for me". Anyone know the origin of this phrase? Many of her expression are Staffs/Warcks dialect. Thanks.[/nq]
There was a brief discussion of this phrase recently in alt.english.usage:
[nq:1]A hang-fire is a situation where there is a delay between the application of th
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She means they have been hanging around and not getting eaten.
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[nq:1]She means they have been hanging around and not getting eaten.[/nq]
Aaah. It's really the 'eaters' who have been "hanging fire" - i.e. holding back.
However, phrases tend to acquire different usages as different people get hold of them.

Peter Duncanson
UK
(posting from u.c.l.e)
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