I've heard a lot of good advice in my time. Such as "Go with God and don't take any wooden nickels." Or "Watch that last step" as well as "Bring Cash". These are all good advice, but damn my poor education, I only heed these warnings in the after-the-fact. It has been my experience that good advice only appears good in hindsight. Yes, I have ignored good advice before. I like to think that I've grown and learned, but the truth of the matter is I'm still learning, and probably will be until they shovel 6x6x4 over me. I gotta admit, it is worth getting out of bed for. Like my dear ol' Dad used to say, "If you ain't learnin', you ain't livin'", or something to that effect. I wasn't listening. I was too busy with my action figures.
Anyway, I was set to celebrate a small milestone here at Social Zymurgy. I was all set to ring the bells and set off lots of illegal fireworks for the 400th post of SZ, but out of nowhere, I was struck with a whole new concept, a whole new world-view.
My life changed.
A buddy of mine said his congratulations for this milestone. Then, out of nowhere, he threw in one more piece of advice, as well as a compliment, all in one. This doesn't happen very often to me, where you find a wonderful slice of truth wrapped in well-wishes.
His phrase was this: "Up Your Leg"
To use Flannery's word, I was dumbsquizzled.
This rates as some of the best advice/congratulations/compliment I've ever gotten. If Freidrich Neitzche can build a philosophy out of his superman, than the world needs an oppurtunity to choose Cooper Green and "Up Your Leg". I would read any book he wrote with this title. Perhaps this is a common phase among Canadians, much like "ain't", "grits", and "hind-end" is to American hill-billys/rednecks/country people.
Maybe this is a regional thing, like the way natives from Boston pronounce "harbor" or "baked beans". I don't know. I don't get out much and I don't watch T.V.
Should I ever get a tattoo, I'm thinking of a large crow with ruffled feathers and the quote "Up Your Leg", provided I can overcome my fear of needles, and Coop hasn't copyrighted it by then.
So with a heart-felt "Up your Leg", toast the one you love. If you find yourself in cross-town traffic, just roll down your window and share this philosophy with the car next to you. What about a long elevator ride, or a seemingly endless line at the grocery? This is the perfect time to convert the masses.
Ladies and Gentlmen, Up your Leg!
and then some.
Doc
P.S. Check out my interview below.
how is it used? As in "cheers" or "don't get the bastards get you down" or "what the hell was THAT all about?" or "don't sweat the small stuff"?? (don't mind me, I'm too damned literal sometimes and need people to explain the obvious to me on occasion).
ReplyDeleteis it like when Scotty said "up your shaft" to the lift?? That is, is it insulting?? Don't sound like it... What was the post, Doc, so I can read it in it's entirity??
ReplyDeleteHot Lemon, you're surprisingly close. I stole the line from a movie, several zillion years ago. Can't remember the title; apparently the only memorable thing about it was this line, and I've never heard anybody else use it.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie, two Scotsmen were sitting at a table, hoisting a wee pint after a hard day robbing banks, and one toasted the other with "Up your leg." Loved that line, and I've used it ever since. Frequently, and always with a Scots accent (a bad one, but the important part is the toasting. And the drinking).
Glad you liked the sentiment, Doc, I have a feeling you'll be the second person on the planet regularly hoisting a brew with "up your leg."
I'll use any expression - as long as it involves drinking!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds very British.
ReplyDeleteUp your leg, always preferable to Up yours!
ReplyDelete