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Jackson6612 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
To soft-pedal the noise
Go pound sand
Meaning
An expression of disdain, along the same lines as 'get lost', 'go and play in the traffic', etc.
Origin
This is sometimes used with the intention of meaning 'go and beat/whack sand' - with the back of a shovel or similar. That's not the original meaning though, as is made clear from the longer and less-often used version of the phrase - 'go pound sand up your ass'.
I think "pound" is close in meaning to pulverize, crush something to powder. That would mean go and crush salt into powder, and take that into your ***. Right?
The phrase originated in the US and although common there, especially the midwest states, it isn't frequently heard in other countries.
The version 'go pound salt up your ass' is also sometimes used, presumably to heighten the image of discomfort. It may well date to the early 20th century. That version was certainly well enough known in the US in 1969 for Max Yasgur to have used it when arguing with local dignitaries over his bringing the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival to his farm in Bethal, New York, saying:
"Well, you can all go pound salt up your ass, because come Aug. 15, we're going to have a festival!"
There's also a less vulgar version, 'go pound sand in your ears'.
Here's an entry from the Southeast Economist, Chicago, 1948:
"From her store of memories Mrs. Mary R. Stuart of Harvard Ave, perpetrator of this column of sayings of wisecracks popular in the 'Oh yeah?' era, recalls that 'go pound sand in your ears' meant to soft-pedal the noise."
Source: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/go-pound-sand.html
What does "perpetrator" mean in this context? A person who was doing that column?
What are these "sayings of wisecracks"? A 'wisecrack' is sarcastic remark.
What is this "the 'Oh yeah?' era"?
Does "soft-pedal the noise" mean to 'lessen the noise'?
Please check my questions in red and help me with them. Thank you.
Meaning
An expression of disdain, along the same lines as 'get lost', 'go and play in the traffic', etc.
Origin
This is sometimes used with the intention of meaning 'go and beat/whack sand' - with the back of a shovel or similar. That's not the original meaning though, as is made clear from the longer and less-often used version of the phrase - 'go pound sand up your ass'.
I think "pound" is close in meaning to pulverize, crush something to powder. That would mean go and crush salt into powder, and take that into your ***. Right?
The phrase originated in the US and although common there, especially the midwest states, it isn't frequently heard in other countries.
The version 'go pound salt up your ass' is also sometimes used, presumably to heighten the image of discomfort. It may well date to the early 20th century. That version was certainly well enough known in the US in 1969 for Max Yasgur to have used it when arguing with local dignitaries over his bringing the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival to his farm in Bethal, New York, saying:
"Well, you can all go pound salt up your ass, because come Aug. 15, we're going to have a festival!"
There's also a less vulgar version, 'go pound sand in your ears'.
Here's an entry from the Southeast Economist, Chicago, 1948:
"From her store of memories Mrs. Mary R. Stuart of Harvard Ave, perpetrator of this column of sayings of wisecracks popular in the 'Oh yeah?' era, recalls that 'go pound sand in your ears' meant to soft-pedal the noise."
Source: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/go-pound-sand.html
What does "perpetrator" mean in this context? A person who was doing that column?
What are these "sayings of wisecracks"? A 'wisecrack' is sarcastic remark.
What is this "the 'Oh yeah?' era"?
Does "soft-pedal the noise" mean to 'lessen the noise'?
Please check my questions in red and help me with them. Thank you.
Top answer
"What does "perpetrator" mean in this context? " It is a way for the writer to express that Mrs. Stuart is an impish character.
- "What does "perpetrator" mean in this context?
- " It is a way for the writer to express that Mrs.
- Stuart is an impish character.
- "What are these "sayings of wisecracks"?
- " It is a mistake.
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4 Answers
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"What does "perpetrator" mean in this context? A person who was doing that column?"
It is a way for the writer to express that Mrs. Stuart is an impish character.
"What are these "sayings of wisecracks"? A 'wisecrack' is sarcastic remark."
It is a mistake. The sentence should be rewritten: "From her store of memories, Mrs. Mary R
It is a way for the writer to express that Mrs. Stuart is an impish character.
"What are these "sayings of wisecracks"? A 'wisecrack' is sarcastic remark."
It is a mistake. The sentence should be rewritten: "From her store of memories, Mrs. Mary R
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Whoops, I missed a question.
"I think "pound" is close in meaning to pulverize, crush something to powder. That would mean go and crush salt into powder, and take that into your ***. Right?"
Not exactly. Your understanding of the word "pound" is correct...however, the idea intended to be conveyed is not to pulverize the sand itself, but to pack the sand tightly into y
"I think "pound" is close in meaning to pulverize, crush something to powder. That would mean go and crush salt into powder, and take that into your ***. Right?"
Not exactly. Your understanding of the word "pound" is correct...however, the idea intended to be conveyed is not to pulverize the sand itself, but to pack the sand tightly into y
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Hi,
Go pound sand
I've never heard this expression, and wouldn't understand it if I did hear it (assuming I forget this thread).
Clive
Go pound sand
I've never heard this expression, and wouldn't understand it if I did hear it (assuming I forget this thread).
Clive
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I have. It's a Midwest U.S. thing, like the passage said.
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