What is the origin of the saying pound sand?

What is the origin of the saying pound sand?

“To pound sand” (or “salt”) is a North American invention that first appeared in print back in 1857 meaning “to engage in a pointless, menial task” (Oxford English Dictionary) (“If he told them to pound sand, they would pound sand, and think that it was the finest thing in the world.” 1905).

What does pounding salt mean?

pound salt To engage in pointless, menial efforts or labor. Used as an imperative to express disdain, contempt, or dismissal. A variant of the more common expression "pound sand." I can't believe Sam told his teacher to go pound salt.

Is the saying pound sand or pound salt?

The site speculates that salt may have been substituted for sand because it would be even more uncomfortable to pound salt into your body than to pound sand. A Google Ngram search seems to show that “go pound sand” did appear in American English before “go pound salt” and neither phrase is used in British English.

Where does the term pound salt come from?

The phrase "go pound salt" orginated in the early days of commercial salt mine operations in the US. There were a number of specific jobs performed by people who worked in the mine. The lowest paying and most menial job was pounding large rocks into smaller crystals that could be used for cooking and curing of meats.

What does pound sand in a rat hole mean?

To occupy oneself at a futile task. Used in comparisons, “like pounding sand in a rat-hole.” Still very common. 1967–69 DARE (Qu. II22, Expressions to tell somebody to keep to himself and mind his own business) Inf MA15, Go pound sand in a rathole; MA16, Go pound sand; NY7, Go pound salt.

What does kick sand mean?

Having sand kicked in your face means to be insulted by someone or something you are powerless to fight back against.

What does pound dirt mean?

Pound-sand definition (idiomatic) To engage in a futile activity. verb. (idiomatic, dismissal) To go away; get lost; go to hell.

What does kick rocks mean slang?

to go away kick rocks ​Definitions and Synonyms phrase. DEFINITIONS1. ​American​informalused to tell someone rudely to go away. Their public relations department more or less told me to kick rocks.

What does go kick rocks mean?

to go away kick rocks ​Definitions and Synonyms phrase. DEFINITIONS1. ​American​informalused to tell someone rudely to go away. Their public relations department more or less told me to kick rocks.

What does pound sound mean?

Meaning: if something is as sound as a pound, it is very good or reliable.

What does it mean when someone says you have sand?

Slang Courage; stamina; perseverance: "She had more sand in her than any girl I ever see; in my opinion she was just full of sand" (Mark Twain).

What does it mean if you got sand?

Chiefly U.S. Firmness of purpose; pluck, stamina. sand in one's craw.

What does bite me mean in British?

used to say to someone that they have made you feel angry or embarrassed. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Causing feelings of anger and displeasure. aggravate. aggrieve.

What does get bent mean?

: extremely upset or angry. get bent. slang —used as an angry or contemptuous way of dismissing someone's statement, suggestion, etc. I try to call him the next morning to apologize, but he tells me to get bent.—

What does touch grass mean?

someone to go outside Touch grass is used on the Internet to tell someone to go outside. The phrase also implies that the person the insult is directed to spends too much time online, and they physically need to get outside and “touch some grass” to reconnect with the real world.

What does pound the rock mean?

“Rock” is slang for the ball. When a player “pounds” the ball, it is generally a reference to him dribbling the ball too much. It is hard to imagine, then, why it is the Raptors' motto this year.

What does it mean when a girl has sand?

to have the balls; to be strong willed enough; to have the mindset to be able to do something dangerous. Do you have the SAND to fight me.

Why does sand mean Courage?

Sand here has just the same sense as the older grit, clear grit, or true grit, that refer to a person who has strength of character, pluck, stamina, the ability to see things through to the end.

Why does sand mean courage?

Sand here has just the same sense as the older grit, clear grit, or true grit, that refer to a person who has strength of character, pluck, stamina, the ability to see things through to the end.

What is the word Django mean?

I awake Meaning of Django Django is a Romany term meaning "I awake". It is best known as the nickname of Belgian jazz guitarist Jean Baptiste "Django" Reinhardt, whose fame has led to its use throughout music.

Why does kicking the bucket mean death?

An archaic use of bucket was a beam from which a pig is hung by its feet prior to being slaughtered, and to kick the bucket originally signified the pig's death throes.

What does it mean to say bite me?

idiom US offensive. used to say to someone that they have made you feel angry or embarrassed. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Causing feelings of anger and displeasure.

What is bite me mean?

bite me ​Definitions and Synonyms phrase​American​very informal. used for rudely telling someone that you are upset or annoyed with something they have just said or done. “You're not smart enough to get a job like that.” “Bite me!” Synonyms and related words. Impolite and offensive expressions used when annoyed or …

What do kick rocks mean?

to go away kick rocks ​Definitions and Synonyms phrase. DEFINITIONS1. ​American​informalused to tell someone rudely to go away. Their public relations department more or less told me to kick rocks.

What does touch your nose mean?

What does it mean when someone says 'touch your nose'? Essentially, it means to “stop being nosey”. Urban Dictionary described it like this: “When someone tells you to 'touch your nose' it means to stay out of their business” So 'touch your nose' means mind your own business.

What does it mean to sandbag someone?

b : to treat unfairly or harshly. c : to coerce by crude means. d : to conceal or misrepresent one's true position, potential, or intent especially in order to take advantage over : to hide the truth about oneself so as to gain an advantage over another.

What does getting sandbagged mean?

to coerce or intimidate, as by threats: The election committee was sandbagged into nominating the officers for a second term. to thwart or cause to fail or be rejected, especially surreptitiously or without warning: He sandbagged our proposal with his snide remarks to the boss.

What is the significance of sand?

Sand is associated with loneliness and is symbolic of the passing of time. Sand symbolism can have both negative and positive meanings.

Is Django a Spanish word?

The name Django is boy's name of Romani origin meaning "I awake". Django — the D is silent as most everyone now knows — the nickname of the great Belgian-born jazz guitarist Django (originally Jean Baptiste) Reinhardt, makes a dynamic musical choice for any jazz aficionado.

Is Django a French word?

Django is French Boy name and meaning of this name is "Yahweh is Gracious / Merciful".