Beech Tree News Network

Old-timey words and phrases from my generation are rare now, I’ve said that before.
PUT UP AN ENGINE- Old mechanics didn’t overhaul an engine. They “put-up” an engine.
How about GRINNIN’ LIKE A MULE EATIN’ SAWBRAIRS?  It speaks for itself.
HAPPY AS A COON ON A ROASTNEAR. Roasting ear is proper, but whose proper?
AT BANGER ‘S GOT A GOOD RANG TO IT.  Banjo rings good.
HOSEPIPE- Middle Tennessee; they also call an outdoor convience, The Statehouse.
QUILE- Something a snake does.  A spring coils, but doesn’t get riled.
SPREADNATTER- A snake. Some may know it as, spreading adder or a puffadder family: Colubridaee (non poisonous.
PENNYRILE -A pennyroyal; a flower.  We have a basic land resource area in Western Kentucky known as the Pennyrile.
WARNET- A Harrican Holler walnut (Muhlenberg)
PETTICOAT- “they taught me not to gamble on a petticoat, Mister and Mississippi made me feel at home” (ASCAP,BMI, PDQ, and PMS)
FLEEK-Flake . A block of bailed hay.
IDEEN- Iodine.  “Five drops of ideen in a glass of well water cams me like the hand of the Lord.”
DRAW MOLASSES- When my grandmother poured molasses from a jug into a pitcher, she drew molasses.
LOOK IN FOR A BABY- I don’t think that’s the way you get one, but back then the preg.- word was thought somehow to be crass.
BULL or BOAR- Not said in front of a lady.  Male was proper.
LIMB- (leg) My daddy rarely spoke of any part of the female anatomy.  He was very fastidious.  He always spoke of a woman’s limb.  However I’ve never thought for one second mine was an immaculate conception.
GRIP- Handbag or suitcase.  “In my heart I felt I could stand it, til she walked with her grip through the door.  A little-bitty tear let me down.
GET UNDER THE WHEEL- Vester drove until he got to noddin’ off bad.  I decided I’d better get under the wheel.
CASING- Em casings on that old car are slick (tires)
GO OUTDOORS- A  country bathroom before running water.  Outdoors = No. 2 Go outside to fasten up the chickens refers to No. 1.
CLEM- He clem  at old truck so hard you could smell the grease burnin’ on the motor.
FACE- FOMEST – Homer was carrying slop to the hogs; stepped in a hole and fell face fomest.
I’ll wind up with an old gem  I used to hear growing up: Boad Creek got choked on a chicken head and all he could say was sing, “Near My God to Thee.”
Kindest regards…