OK - Doad used a phrase today that made me giggle. Apparently I was getting on his nerves and he said "you're getting on my tits" which, predictably, made me burst out in laughter.

Anyone want to comment? How did this phrase come about? I'm assuming it's from one of your (you Brits) very erudite comedies.

This is one of those phrases that I use quite alot without really thinking about it and I was surprised by CW's reaction. She literally couldn't speak for some time so clearly as a phrase it has its uses!!

I think I first came across it in Scotland where it is used quite frequently (at least in the Glasgow area). I know that Billy Connolly has used it and he is certainly from the Glasgow area but I've no idea how it started.

I would like to point out that it is in no way referring to my own physique and is a phrase that is used by both men and women. I do not have 'man boobs' as I think CW may have originally thought.

It's certainly been used in the south of England for at least the past 40 years.

A similar phrase is "you get on my wick".

quote:

get on one's wick/tits vb British

to irritate, annoy or vex. The 'wick' in question, unknown to many speakers, is a now rather archaic shortening of hampton wick, rhyming slang for prick (which is nowadays more usually shortened to hampton). In spite of the implied gender difference, both versions of the expression are used indiscriminately by both men and women.

'It really gets on my tits when someone calls me a career woman.'
(Recorded, female journalist, London, (1986)).

Bloomsbury Dictionary of Contemporary Slang, © Tony Thorne 1997

Fabulous! Thanks for the quote, Arnie! I had no idea. So a hampton is a prick?

. . . shaking her head in amazement

What a rich and varied language English is, especially in the hands of the English! I wonder what else we can teach you CW? Soon you'll be able to insult and abuse fellow Americans without them having a clue what you're going on about.

I heard a funny one tonight. I was in the lobby of our hotel (I am at a conference), having a drink with 4 other women. The waitress was being so rude that we had to call the manager. My colleague said, "The problem is, we don't have a penis with us!" The manager didn't hear that, thankfully!

That is a good one, Kalleh. I totally understand the feeling.

Doad - my education here on the board has been far-reaching!