My Mamaw had a funny saying for almost any occasion. When her mother died, my Mom started writing a list of all her sayings. I find myself quoting them from time to time and remembering my Mamaw and getting tickled. I thought you might get a kick out of them, too.
Things My Mamaw Used To Say
Hide 'n watch!
I cain't live on the edge.
Don't wish your life away!
It grew legs and walked off.
Well, fall and see who cares.
It'll all come out in the wash.
It's as wrinkled as a cat's guts.
I'm gonna pinch your head off!
If it've been a snake, it've bit ya.
He's as dependable as a rubber crutch.
Some do it legal, some do it with a gun.
Hold on a minute, it'll come back to me.
I'm not old. I've just been here a long time.
You don't have to tell everything you know.
You'll never know it a hundred years from now.
I could stretch a mile if I didn't have to walk back.
What's that got to do with the price of tea in China?
You can just get glad in the same shoes you got mad in.
That girl would complain if she was hung with a new rope!
Momma said there would be days like this. She just didn't say there would be so many of them.
I cain't live on the edge.
Don't wish your life away!
It grew legs and walked off.
Well, fall and see who cares.
It'll all come out in the wash.
It's as wrinkled as a cat's guts.
I'm gonna pinch your head off!
If it've been a snake, it've bit ya.
He's as dependable as a rubber crutch.
Some do it legal, some do it with a gun.
Hold on a minute, it'll come back to me.
I'm not old. I've just been here a long time.
You don't have to tell everything you know.
You'll never know it a hundred years from now.
I could stretch a mile if I didn't have to walk back.
What's that got to do with the price of tea in China?
You can just get glad in the same shoes you got mad in.
That girl would complain if she was hung with a new rope!
Momma said there would be days like this. She just didn't say there would be so many of them.
The image above is my favorite one of Mamaw. Isn't she beautiful?
39 comments:
Wonderful list. Sure made me think of my mother and the things she used to say. Perhaps I will make a list on my blog too!
Your Mawmaw was precious! I liked those sayings. I can see why they have stuck with you all these years.
Hello, dear! Isn't she beautiful? What a lovely portrait, intelligent and direct and determined. I love all the sayings and it's such a great idea to write them down. They hold such good memories. Wishing you a most happy weekend ahead! xo – g
love them! and some of them i can translate into norwegian and use as my own! :)
-fiona
How delightful! And yes, she is beautiful!
Oh, my goodness--what a colorful expression your Mamaw had, Relyn! I love that last quote. And what a beautiful photo of her. This was great fun... Thank you for sharing your Mamaw with us. :o) Happy Day ((HUGS))
Your mamaw and my mama say many of the same things (which means I saw a few of these too).
Big hugs
I love you
I love all you share
Love Jeanne
Mom had a way with words, didn't she? I love this picture of her. She was a very pretty woman in her early years, wasn't she? She was such a giving lady and had so many friends. I have so had her on my mind lately.
so fun. my mom has so many sayings, too.
now i want to start writing them down and saving them so i don't forget.
ps....wow you got snow !
She is beautiful! My mother use to say the one, It'll all come out in the wash too. My father-in-law had so many sayings, we need to write them down. We call them Floydisms. My son is very good at imitating his tones and words.
I love this list!!! I just love it. I especially love "You can just get glad in the same shoes you got mad in." I'm gonna remember that one to tell my nephews, both of whom love shoes, and both of whom get mad (and glad) a lot.
What a great way to create a portrait of your grandmother. My father had a lot of funny sayings, most of which he hauled out when we were driving him crazy. My favorite was the one that let us know he was ticked off (my father almost never raised his voice):
"Go take a long walk off a short pier."
When I heard that one, I knew it was best to shut my mouth. :)
Love to you, sweet stuff. xoxo Gigi
Hey there Relyn! I am a recent subscriber to your Blog and have been soooo enjoying all of your posts, however, I especially love this... Remember my mom saying nearly all of these, however, I really did not remember it until I read your post. Brought back lots of memories, all wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing those, and I especially love the creativity of the bell shape. How cool. I am going to copy these down in my journal so I will never forget again some of these sayings that my own mother said. Have a joyeaux day. Jeanne
This is a great list, thank you. I heard a lot of these from my Granny and my mother, and I try to use them still myself. One on your list that I really associate with my Granny was: "If it was a snake, it would've bit you." The other saying I still "hear" her saying to me is: "Don't trouble Trouble til Trouble troubles you." Excellent advice now as then!
Oh, these are good! I need to do that. My dad always had colorful remarks but they were usually off color, I've always threatened to write them all down. And Mother, her's were different - I need to remember those, too. Diane
"Don't wish your life away" must be a universal mother phrase. I say it to my kids all the time, just like my mom said it to me!
she is indeed beautiful ... and her sayings are a treasure
What a beauty.
Those are good words:)
-Jennifer
What a lovely woman. And I can just hear the words...some I was familiar with, some not.
What a quick wit she seems to have had. She sounds like a lively - fun person to be around. What nuggets you have here.
your mom and my mom said a lot of the same things...and now i do too
She sounds like a woman I could take a liken to. Sure makes our speech seem downright dull!
Oh, I love it! Haven't heard some of those in awhile. When my grandmother was mad at us, she'd say, "You and I are gonna bump heads!" Miss those old sayings! Wishing you a fabulous weekend, Relyn! And thanks for sharing this.
Kirsten
your mom looks so young, yet so wise. some of those old sayings are so funny. glad you're keeping a record of them.
Have a great weekend.
what a sweet post! my nana has some crazy stuff she says- like "i'll kick a bale of hay out of ya" or the clouds will clear if there is enough blue sky for a dutchman's pants.... how strange!
I esp. love "as wrinkled as a cat's guts!" I'm going to start saying that one!
lol..this made me laugh!
Now, that is a person who beamed with character!
And beautiful indeed.
I got a kick out of reading these. I just love family sayings! It's great that you've got them all written down!
xo Mary Jo
My fave -- he's as dependable as a rubber crutch! This reminds me of a 24-year-old who is dear to my heart and yes, dependable as a rubber crutch!
I wish I'd written down all my dad's and grandpa's sayings. Grandpa had some that are probably unprintable, but I remember a few I won't share -- and I have to say -- they are funny! That's a great legacy for Sloane to share!
she is beautiful .. a great post friend .. growing up when I would complain to my mom .." I dont have anything to do " she would smile and saw "mil dew" .. it makes me smile still!
Great list and how lucky you are to have it.
i love love love this...and what a great idea to keep a list of them...
oh..and i have written you a real and honest to goodness handwritten on paper letter...you should send me your address again...i even have it in the envelope all ready to go...
arlenegiddings at hotmail dot com
:O)
These are just gorgeous. It's fun to imagine her mood, the expressions that might have been on her face, the moment that passed as she said these classics. Such a great idea for your mom to have written them down so you can hold onto the memory.
I remember my grandmother and aunts saying a few of those, but there are so many good old sayings on your list. And what a beautiful picture of your memaw.
This is a good list, Relyn. I especially like the "Well, fall and see who cares" - good advice - and "He's as dependable as a rubber crutch" - hah! Your mamaw was gorgeous and you know what, I can see YOU and SLOANE in her! Wow...the powers of genetics...
PS: Is "mamaw" a southern term for a grandmother or is this a special name in your family?
My family is from Texas, so I'd say it was probably a Texas term for Grandma. Lots of other friends use it to. I also have a Papaw, my Momma's Daddy.
More than half of these my mother would say too....I need to start writing them down...Loved reading this and I love that photo of your Mawmaw:)
things like these keep them close by, don't they?!
My step-dad had some great quips--my mom, not so much. My favs of his: Like a barrel full of coathangers (for something complicated) and 'If it ain't buggered, it ain't mine. Of your mamaw's, I especially like the 'shoes' one!
Post a Comment