Dadisms

We didn't get any rain yet. Unless one considers a trace, rain. The sidewalk was wet this morning but the rain gauge didn't measure anything except a bit of moisture in the bottom of the glass tube. It is cloudy so at least the little we got will penetrate rather than evaporate. We are grateful for anything we get. The weather man says there is a chance again tonight. We will trust it will come in His good and perfect time.

I write alot about my father. The reason for that is I want to record all the things about him that make him who he is for the sake of our kids and grandkids that get such a buzz out of him. Grandpa has such a zest for life and when one is around him, it is contagious. Now, I confess that he isn't perfect, not by a long shot, but he is full of love and delight for most people. All our kids and grandkids know Grandpa loves them. Even those that are brought into the family by marriage feel his warmth. His arm is ever open whenever one comes around. We always say, "Grandpa doesn't know his strength" because his hugs can be quite painful. His hugs are as intense as the life he lives and the opinions he has. Don't get on politics with him unless you are willing to see things his way. His faith in God is as strong as can be. He also has some doctrinal preferences but he is open to brothers and sisters of all brandnames and loves the greater family of God.

Dad has a way with words. They are not necessarily the words that others use. He colors his phrases with little things that only Dad says. I call those things, Dadisms. I began thinking about this a day or two ago and decided to recall and record as many as I could. I will be adding to them as I visit with him and recognize those words and phrases that akin to him alone. I asked him what things he says that others don't and he laughed and said, "you'll just have to listen, I don't know". So following is a list that is a beginning:

Keep your nose clean
Means to keep your nose out of other people's business

Chew the rag
Means to carry on a conversation with a friend

Don't spare the horses
Means not to spare expense


Chief Cook and Bottlewasher
Translation: The wife or woman of the house

How 'bout those apples?
Meaning, "can you believe that?"

If they ain't paying rent, kick 'em out
Meaning, If something isn't benefiting one, get rid of it

You need to talk to the "Chief"
Meaning, you will have to talk to my wife

Don't take any wooden nickels
Always a farewell

That's a bunch of malarky
Meaning whatever is being said isn't true

Get on the stick
Means get to your business

Bellyache
Example: “My mother never bellyached about that” meaning complained

Humdinger
An adjective meaning out of the ordinary

Beaut
Example: “Look at that apple, it’s a real beaut” meaning it’s a fine specimen

Underground Balloon Corp
He uses this to explain where he heard some news about someone that didn’t come from that person; similar to hearing something through the grapevine

By Cracky
Rather unexplainable

According to the Meads and Persians
Meaning rumor has it

There's no flies on that one.
Usually referring to a young child that never sits still therefore no fly would have a chance to light on him/her

Get some hair on your teeth
Means that someone needs to get some courage or some determination

That was fun 'til the government got involved. That was Ralph Nader's fault
Dad is a true Republican who believes in smaller government and absolutely despises the things Ralph Nader stood for

Doesn’t Amount to a Hill ‘o Beans
Means that something isn’t important

Get ‘em where the hair is short
Means causing someone enough pain to get them to see things or do things differently

From the horses mouth
Meaning he heard the news directly from the person involved.

Look at that little rascal
Almost always used when finding delight in watching a small child, bird, or other small animal

You Get a Lot Farther with Honey Than Vinegar
Meaning that people are more cooperative when you treat them with sweet words than if you use acidic words

SLANH
All my kids will know what this one is but it isn't politically correct anymore so I can't spell it out. It was a phrase he used as I grew up and was one of that time era. I learned it from him and used it at a very inappropriate time when I was a teenager and was very humbled. It isn't vulgar in anyway but isn't appropriate either. I add it only to make my children smile when they think of their grandpa and also to make them realize that the freedom to use certain words or phrases changes over time.