Helen Nguyen
2020-12-14 05:12
I'll go to the foot of our stairs British old-fashioned informal
I heard that you're pregnant with twins. Wow, congratulations. I'll go to the foot of out stairs.
Well, I'll go to the foot of out stairs. I can't believe that I can win this prize.
To be surprised by some sudden occurrence
To greatly surprise, shock, or confuse someone
Used to express surprise
This expression derives from the North of England. It did travel to others parts of the UK during the 20th century, notably the Birmingham area where it was commonplace, but not much further, and is little known in other parts of the English-speaking world. It is now less used than previously, although it is still staple fare for any writer wishing to write a part for a stage northerner.
This means presumably that the short walk to the place mentioned would allow the speaker to recover equanimity. Or perhaps it meant it was time to give up and go to bed! Used by Tommy Handley in BBC Radio's ITMA (1940s) and elsewhere. Said to have been used by the entertainer George Formby as 'Eeh, I'll go to the foot of our stairs', as also, 'Eeh, I'll go to our 'ouse (pronounced 'our rouse')' - Robina Hinton, Suffolk . Chris Littlefair gave this variation from the North-East : 'I'll go to the bottom of our garden" (Source: phrases.org.uk)
Do you see anything wrong?
Clear
