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03-31-2009, 10:24 PM | #1 |
Your Bartender
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Philly Burbs, PA
Posts: 7,651
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I can't be arsed to figure this out.
So I'll ask . . .
What is the origin of the phrase "can't be arsed," which I've seen used a couple times here recently. I'm familiar with "arse" (in, at least, a theoretical sense), but I don't see how it came to be used in this context. |
03-31-2009, 11:00 PM | #2 |
I hear them call the tide
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Perpetual Chaos
Posts: 30,852
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I think it's short for "I can't be bothered to get off my arse to go do whatever it is".
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The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart |
04-01-2009, 12:17 AM | #3 |
Thats "Miss Zipper Neck" to you.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: little town (but not the littlest) in texas
Posts: 2,957
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I can't be arsed, and if you don't ever try to, we'll get along fine. No, I do not mean it in the way monnie said.
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Addicts may suck dick for coke, but love came up with the idea to put a dick in there to begin with. -Jack O'Brien |
04-01-2009, 03:58 PM | #4 |
Your Bartender
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Philly Burbs, PA
Posts: 7,651
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04-01-2009, 08:01 AM | #5 | |
We have to go back, Kate!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 25,964
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Quote:
I found it really interesting. I only went on looking for 'arsed' and ended up reading the whole thing :P |
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04-01-2009, 08:32 AM | #6 |
amnesic-confabulatory opsimath
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Between my ears
Posts: 739
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Take Our Word For It - No answer to your question, SD. But I enjoyed reading this e-zine for many years. Sadly, they haven't updated in over two years, but the back issues make excellent reading if you're interested in etymology.
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04-01-2009, 10:03 AM | #7 |
Snowflake
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Dystopia
Posts: 13,136
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I love this phrase, and have used it on occasion. I believe I picked this up from Australian English-speakers.
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****************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio |
04-01-2009, 12:15 PM | #8 |
We have to go back, Kate!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 25,964
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Arse and arsed is a much used word in the north. Young and old. My mum uses it and so do I.
Ass (in the American sense o fthe word) is more common than it used to be. Initially people started using it when quoting american movies, or just using an obvious Americanism. Now it's sort of made into the general lexicon. I was brought up though with Ass meaning donkey. 'Silly ass' was something my Dad would say, along with 'daft apeth' (daft halfpennyworth) and 'gutha' which I believe might have been a hindi word for 'ass'. If I am on here and mum asks what I'm up to I would likely say 'arsing about in the Cellar'. If I cannot be bothered I would say 'I can't be arsed', or 'I can't be mithered.' Sometimes 'Arse' makes a good expletive. Very Father Ted. My favourite expletive though is bastard! Sometimes expanded out to 'Bastard son of a bitch!' Also, something can be 'bastard big' (see Life on Mars for 'bastard big needles') I may well be 'bastarding late' for an interview :P Also something difficult might be 'a bastard', or might prove 'a bastard to do'. |
04-01-2009, 10:01 PM | #9 |
trying hard to be a better person
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 16,493
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I have been saying "I can't be arsed" for months now. Unfortunately, I've had to get my arse into gear lately but it's been pretty easy considering what a lazy arse I'd become.
I like the word arse. I use it regularly. (my arse that is)
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Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber |
04-01-2009, 10:33 PM | #10 |
Doctor Wtf
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Badelaide, Baustralia
Posts: 12,861
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HI Ali, you've been quiet lately... everything ok?
/threadjack
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Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl. |
04-01-2009, 10:35 PM | #11 |
trying hard to be a better person
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 16,493
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Oh yes. All is well. I've just been working hard on getting the young fella into a good routine. It's left me little time to worry about posting on the cellar, although I've checked in a few times, I just couldn't be arsed posting.
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Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber |
04-01-2009, 10:41 PM | #12 |
Doctor Wtf
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Badelaide, Baustralia
Posts: 12,861
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All good then.
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Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl. |
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