What is your favorite Quote or Saying?

[RoyJackson]

I am also reminded of another old Southern farm saying:
"That won't Gee-Haw." (Gee and Haw were Right and Left commands for the plow animals)
So something that didn't Gee-Haw, wouldn't go right or left. (or just didn't make sense, wouldn't work, etc)

Now, I wonder where those expressions, "Gee" and "Haw" as far as right and left commands..?
I did look it up, BTW...interesting history...

 

[Bigfoot62]

Now, I wonder where those expressions, "Gee" and "Haw" as far as right and left commands..?
...

Roy, I don't know for sure. I'm not THAT old! :laughing:

No, seriously, I did some internet research as well. Best I can tell, the terms date back to the early 1800's, here in America. Some reference earlier usage in England. I wonder why they just didn't use "Right" and "Left?"

 

[PILOON]

Nobody is perfect.
I'm not and you are not, only thing is you are less than I.

 

[sixdogs]

Now, I wonder where those expressions, "Gee" and "Haw" as far as right and left commands..?
I did look it up, BTW...interesting history...

Roy--I'd bet that most of our sayings have some historical link behind them that, if known, would prove fascinating.
Maybe not "no free lunch" --- I learned that on my own.

 

[weldermike]

Are you from around here or are you a local.

 

[tallyho8]

Now, I wonder where those expressions, "Gee" and "Haw" as far as right and left commands..?
I did look it up, BTW...interesting history...

They probably originated from people trying to communicate with the mules in their language, HEE HAW.

 

[RoyJackson]

Roy--I'd bet that most of our sayings have some historical link behind them that, if known, would prove fascinating.
Maybe not "no free lunch" --- I learned that on my own.

The TANSTAAFL saying came from an old Robert Heinlein novel. It might have history beyond that...I don't know.
BTW, I had posted TANSTAAFL as my favorite saying a dozen or so posts back (maybe more...this is a long thread). I have used it as my signature line too (on TBN)

 

[Iplayfarmer]

.. I wonder why they just didn't use "Right" and "Left?"

My family does a little driving, and the way it's been explained to me is that Right and Left sound almost the same to a horse/Mule/Ox/Sled Dog. Gee and Haw are different enough that animals can make out the difference.

 

[RoyJackson]

My family does a little driving, and the way it's been explained to me is that Right and Left sound almost the same to a horse/Mule/Ox/Sled Dog. Gee and Haw are different enough that animals can make out the difference.

Hmmmmmm...applies to my wife too, BTW.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Hmmmmmm...applies to my wife too, BTW.

Train her to respond to Gee and Haw.

Of course the difficult part of that expectation is the "train her" part. Usually it's the woman training the man in my experience.