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Conference thebay::joyoflex

Title:The Joy of Lex
Notice:A Notes File even your grammar could love
Moderator:THEBAY::SYSTEM
Created:Fri Feb 28 1986
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1192
Total number of notes:42769

699.0. "Beat to a bloody pulp!" by GRNDAD::STONE (Roy) Tue Jul 25 1989 19:14

    In Note 377 and its replies we have a collection of expressions for
    a particular group of unfortunates.  Now how about some of the 
    expressions used to describe the loser in an altercation (or the boast
    of someone who doesn't plan to be the loser).
    
    Examples:
    
    "I'll clean his clock for him!"
    
    "I'll mop up the floor with him!"
    
    "He was coldcocked!"
    
    "Some guy decked him..."
    
    
    
    Does anyone know the origin of these expressions?
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699.1PithySSGBPM::KENAHTen billion dreams every night...Thu Jul 27 1989 01:166
    A wonderfully bloody couplet from Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London"
    
	       "You better stay away from him,
       		He'll rip your lungs out, Jim..."
    
    					andrew
699.2ColdcockBLAS03::FORBESBill Forbes - LDP EngrngFri Jul 28 1989 07:148
    Re: <<< Note 699.0 by GRNDAD::STONE "Roy" >>>

    I thought a "coldcock" was a valid English word meaning a blunt
    weapon consisting of an elongated leather bag filled with sand or
    lead shot. Thus, to be "coldcocked" is to be knocked off the cabeza
    with said implement.
    
    Bill
699.3COOKIE::DEVINEBob Devine, CXNFri Jul 28 1989 19:163
  >  Thus, to be "coldcocked" is to be knocked off the cabeza [...]
    
    Okay, so what's a "cabeza"?
699.4MYCRFT::PARODIJohn H. ParodiFri Jul 28 1989 20:0213
  Re: .2,

  No, I think the implement to which you refer is called a "sap" or a
  "blackjack."  

  I always thought "coldcock" meant a punch without warning.  E.g., two
  rowdies decide to duke it out and one says, "Let's flip a coin to see
  who gets the first punch.  You call it."  First rowdy flips the coin and
  when the second rowdy's glance follows it, first rowdy knocks his block
  off.  So to speak.

  JP
699.5clarificationBLAS03::FORBESBill Forbes - LDP EngrngSat Jul 29 1989 20:2316
    Re: <<< Note 699.3 by COOKIE::DEVINE "Bob Devine, CXN" >>>

    "Cabeza" is the Spanish word meaning "head".  My Texan roots are
    showing.
    
    Re: .4
    
    Might there be more than one word for "sap" or "blackjack"?  I
    actually won't try to claim a high degree of authority on the
    subject.  My reply in .2 was based purely on something I was told 10
    years or so ago by I-don't-remember-who.
    
    You have to admit, though, the implement is question has some
    resemblance to a cold cock.
    
    Bill
699.6light dawns on marble head...MYCRFT::PARODIJohn H. ParodiMon Jul 31 1989 15:589
  Re: .5

  >    You have to admit, though, the implement is question has some
  >    resemblance to a cold cock.
    
  Now that you've pointed it out, indeed I do...

  JP
699.7Somebody grab the OEDWECARE::BAILEYCorporate SleuthThu Aug 17 1989 23:068
    I always assumed that "decked" has to do with rowdy sailors sprawling
    on the decks of ships after a good fight.
    
    re: last two, tsk tsk!
    
    Sherry