of endearment, fondness.
An expression of endearment, fondness, or appreciation for another person. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Look at this picture that my sweet daughter drew me, bless her cotton socks! Bless his little cotton socks—Johnny knew I wasn’t feeling well, so he brought me breakfast in bed. See also: bless, cotton, sock.
In this post
Why do we say bless your cotton socks?
‘Bless their cotton socks’
In 1858 as Bishop of Calcutta, Mr Cotton created schools for Eurasian children. As part of his philanthropy, he ordered dozens of pairs of socks to be sent over for the children, blessing them on arrival.
What does it mean when someone says bless her?
something you say when someone sneezes. bless her/him/them, etc informal. used to show your affection for the person you are talking about: Peter, bless him, slept all the way through it.
Where did the saying pull your socks up come from?
The phrase originates from the time when running was prominent and people would wear special running shoes and socks. To pull up the socks would mean that the race is about to start and hence the athletes would have to be prepared for it.
Where does the saying cotton on come from?
In the early 1800s, to cotton to somebody implied that you were drawn or attached to that person. It may be that the idea here is how well a thread of cotton sticks to the surface of cloth.
What are some Southern slang words?
These Are All the Slang Terms You’ll Only Hear in the South
- Buggy.
- Fixin’
- Druthers.
- High cotton.
- Bubba and Sissy.
- Hoecake.
- Catawampus.
- Piddling.
What does it mean when someone says bless him?
Filters. The definition of bless him is a way to ask for prayer or good will towards someone. An example of bless him is what you would say if a brother did you a favor. interjection.
What do Southerners mean by bless your heart?
Perhaps the most common phrase distinct to the South is “bless your heart”. When I first relocated here, I heard it directed at me a lot more often than I care to admit. Although sometimes uttered with the sweetest of intent, more times than not, it’s the Southern way of politely dismissing you.
Why do guys pull their socks up?
to make an effort to improve your work or behaviour because it is not good enough: He’s going to have to pull his socks up if he wants to stay in the team.
What does rolling up your sleeves mean?
to prepare to work hard
Definition of roll up one’s sleeves
1 : to fold up the ends of one’s shirt sleeves to make them shorter. 2 informal : to prepare to work hard It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get the job done.
What does pull up your pants mean?
Slang to attract (a sexual partner) 11 intr; usually foll by: on or at to drink or inhale deeply. to pull at one’s pipe, pull on a bottle of beer. 12 to put on or make (a grimace)
What does cotton mean in slang?
vulgar slang To have a very urgent or desperate need to defecate.
What does the expression cotton on mean?
to begin to understand something
Definition of cotton on
: to begin to understand something : to catch on It took a while, but they are finally starting to cotton on. —often + to She cottoned on to the fact that I like her.
What does the phrase fair to middling mean?
just average
Definition of fair to middling
: just average : not especially good The food was fair to middling.
How do Southerners say pretty?
These compliments and lighthearted digs have Southern flair aplenty.
- She’s as pretty as a peach.
- They’re as pretty as a pitcher. (
- He’s a tall drink of iced tea.
- They’re as happy as clams at high tide.
- She’s as smart as all get out.
- They’re finer than frogs’ hair split four ways.
- She’s got gumption.
What is the most Southern thing to say?
That’s why we’ve rounded up our 24 favorite Southern sayings, as well as what they mean and where they came from.
- Bless your heart.
- If I had my druthers.
- He’s having a dying duck fit.
- Hold your horses.
- What in the Sam Hill?
- She’s stuck up higher than a light pole.
- As all get-out.
- Finer than a frog’s hair.
What does the phrase I’ll be John Brown mean?
Southerners have plenty of ways to express surprise, another example of which is “Well I’ll be John Brown,” sometimes also said as “Well I’ll be John Browned.” This expression refers to John Brown the abolitionist who tried to lead a slave rebellion in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and later was hanged for it in 1859.
Why do people say bless him or her?
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English bless (him/her etc)spoken used to show that you are fond of someone, amused by them, or pleased by something they have done He’s always willing to help. Bless him!
Why do British say bless you?
Saying “bless you” was believed to help keep it in you. Alternatively a sneeze was the body’s way of expelling a demon and saying that phrase would shield you from the evil. Whatever the origin, nowadays it is polite to say “bless you” when someone sneezes, just like saying “thank you” or “please”.
What does bless up mean slang?
Your Definitive Guide to What “Bless Up” Actually Means
DJ Khaled started the trend, and “bless up” has two primary meanings: it’s supposed to be a greeting that sends some good vibes, but most people use it as a way of expressing how grateful they are for their lives — kind of like #blessed.
Is it rude to say bless your heart?
The phrase has multiple meanings. It may be used to express genuine sympathy or as a precursor to an insult to soften the blow. However, it may also be used in an insulting way meaning “you are dumb or otherwise impaired, but you can’t help it” by individuals who wish to “be sweet” and do not wish to “act ugly”.