A wigwam for a goose's bridle

A wigwam for a goose's bridle is a phrase, meaning something absurd or a nonsense object, or latterly "none of your business". It is an old English phrase from the United Kingdom which later found particular favour in Australia, where its first recorded use is in 1917,[1] and also in New Zealand.[2] An obscure variation has been attributed to the mid-1900s in Canada's Nova Scotia province. It has been reported that mundane household enquiries like "what's for dinner?" could draw the response "bits for gooses' bridles".[citation needed]

UK origins

An early recorded use is found in an 1836 article in The New Monthly Magazine, where the phrase is used by an English sailor whose ship was berthed in Calcutta.[3]

Originally, the phrase was "a whim-wham for a goose's bridle", with "whim-wham" a word meaning "a fanciful or fantastic object". The phrase was deliberately absurd as a goose would never wear a bridle. Folk etymology converted the word "whim-wham"—a word that was no longer much used—to "wigwam", an Ojibwa word for a domed single-room dwelling used by Native Americans. This change retained the phrase's absurd meaning and sense.[4]

Australian use

In Australia, a common usage is in response to an inquiry such as Q. "What are you making?", A. "A wigwam for a goose's bridle".[5] The rejoinder was a code for "Mind your own business" and children acquired this pragmatic knowledge after repeated discourse with their parents ended with this response.[6] It was a common family saying.[7]

The phrase is believed to be less popular than it once was.[8]

Other variations of the phrase

  • "Whim wham for ducks to sit on." (Stated by a woman of English heritage, first of six born (1907) in the US, in Rocks Springs, Wyoming)[citation needed]
  • "Whim whams to wind the sun up." (Said by an Englishman of Chester, Cheshire in the years 1930–1940)[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Meanings and origins of Australian words and idioms - Australian National Dictionary Centre - ANU". Archived from the original on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Tony Beyer". Manukau in Poetry. Manukau Libraries. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2008.
  3. ^ Walsh, Robert; Eliakim Littell; John Jay Smith (2005) [1836]. "Scene in Calcutta". Museum of Foreign Literature, Science and Art. Philadelphia: E Little. p. 590. First published in The New Monthly Magazine
  4. ^ Ludowyk, Frederick. "All my eye and Betty Martin! The folk etymology of some popular idioms". OzWords (October 1996). Australian National University : Australian National Dictionary Centre. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2008.
  5. ^ Seal, Graham (1999). The Lingo: Listening to Australian English. UNSW Press. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-86840-680-0. Retrieved 13 June 2008.
  6. ^ Wajnryb, Ruth (2008). Cheerio Tom, Dick and Harry: Despatches from the Hospice of Fading Words. Allen & Unwin. p. 79. ISBN 978-1-74114-993-7. Retrieved 13 June 2008.
  7. ^ "Fish Trout: Children's Folklore". National Library of Australia. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2008.
  8. ^ Chesterton, Ray (9 October 2006). "Aussie lingo facing extinction". News Ltd. Retrieved 13 June 2008. [dead link‍]

Read other articles:

Thom Tillis

Thomas Tillis beralih ke halaman ini. Untuk saudaranya, lihat Rick Tillis. Thom Tillis Senator Amerika Serikat dari Carolina UtaraPetahanaMulai menjabat 3 Januari 2015Menjabat bersama Richard Burr PendahuluKay HaganPenggantiPetahanaJurubicara Dewan Perwakilan Carolina UtaraMasa jabatan26 Januari 2011 – 3 Januari 2015 PendahuluJoe HackneyPenggantiTim MooreAnggota Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Carolina Utaradari dapil 98Masa jabatan24 Januari 2007 – 3 Jan...

 

Ant-Man (film)

Ant-ManSutradaraPeyton ReedProduserKevin FeigeSkenario Edgar Wright Joe Cornish Adam McKay Paul Rudd Cerita Edgar Wright Joe Cornish BerdasarkanAnt-Manoleh Stan LeeLarry LieberJack KirbyPemeran Paul Rudd Evangeline Lilly Corey Stoll Bobby Cannavale Michael Peña Tip T.I. Harris Anthony Mackie Wood Harris Judy Greer Abby Ryder Fortson David Dastmalchian Michael Douglas Penata musikChristophe BeckSinematograferRussell CarpenterPenyunting Dan Lebental Colby Parker, Jr. PerusahaanproduksiMa...

 

MRF (perusahaan)

Artikel ini sebatang kara, artinya tidak ada artikel lain yang memiliki pranala balik ke halaman ini.Bantulah menambah pranala ke artikel ini dari artikel yang berhubungan atau coba peralatan pencari pranala.Tag ini diberikan pada Oktober 2022. MRF LimitedJenisPublikKode emitenBSE: 500290NSE: MRFISININE883A01011IndustriBanDidirikanTiruvottiyur, Madras, Tamil Nadu, India (1946; 78 tahun lalu (1946))PendiriK. M. Mammen MappillaiKantorpusatChennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaWilayah operasiWorld...

Lukisan Zaman Keemasan Belanda

Dutch Masters beralih ke halaman ini. Untuk rokok, lihat Dutch Masters (rokok). Johannes Vermeer, Pelayan Susu (1658–1660) Lukisan Zaman Keemasan Belanda adalah lukisan Zaman Keemasan Belanda, sebuah periode dalam sejarah Belanda yang terbentang sepanjang abad ke-17, saat dan setelah paruh akir Perang Delapan Puluh Tahun (1568–1648) untuk kemerdekaan Belanda. Republik Belanda baru merupakan negara paling makmur di Eropa dan memimpin perdagangan, sains dan seni rupa Eropa. Pranala luar Wik...

 

Conrad Dubai

Artikel ini membahas mengenai bangunan, struktur, infrastruktur, atau kawasan terencana yang sedang dibangun atau akan segera selesai. Informasi di halaman ini bisa berubah setiap saat (tidak jarang perubahan yang besar) seiring dengan penyelesaiannya. Conrad DubaiInformasi umumLokasiDubai, Uni Emirat ArabPerkiraan rampung2010TinggiAtap255 m (837 ft)Data teknisJumlah lantai51Desain dan konstruksiArsitekWS Atkins & Partners Conrad Dubai merupakan sebuah proyek menara hotel bertingkat 51 di...

 

1875 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

1875 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election ← 1872 November 2, 1875 (1875-11-02) 1878 →   Nominee John F. Hartranft Cyrus L. Pershing Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 304,175 292,145 Percentage 49.9% 47.9% County results Hartranft:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Pershing:      40–50%      50–60%  &...

Planetario Nacional (Manila)

Planetario Nacional UbicaciónPaís  FilipinasDirección 565 Avenida Padre Burgos, Manila, Filipinas Filipinas (Parque Rizal)Coordenadas 14°35′02″N 120°58′42″E / 14.5839, 120.9782Tipo y coleccionesTipo PlanetarioHistoria y gestiónCreación 30 de septiembre de 1975Inauguración 8 de octubre de 1975Propietario Museo Nacional de FilipinasSitio web oficial[editar datos en Wikidata] El Planetario Nacional (en filipino: Pambansang Planetaryo), es un pl...

 

Davina Philtjens

Davina Philtjens Nazionalità  Belgio Altezza 151 cm Calcio Ruolo Difensore Squadra  Sassuolo CarrieraSquadre di club1 2003-2004 Patro Massmechelen? (?)2004-2005 Hewian Girls Lanaken? (?)2005-2008 Tienen? (?)2008-2016 Standard Liegi62+ (7+)[1]2016-2018 Ajax45 (1)2018-2020 Fiorentina30 (4)2020- Sassuolo84 (2)Nazionale 2003-2005 Belgio U-178 (9)2005-2008 Belgio U-1921 (5)2008- Belgio116 (10) 1 I due numeri indicano le presenze e le reti segnate, per l...

 

Níkos Christodoulídis

Cet article est une ébauche concernant un homme politique chypriote. Vous pouvez partager vos connaissances en l’améliorant (comment ?) selon les recommandations des projets correspondants. Níkos Christodoulídis(el) Νίκος Χριστοδουλίδης Níkos Khristodoulídis en 2023. Fonctions Président de la république de Chypre En fonction depuis le 28 février 2023(1 an, 2 mois et 13 jours) Élection 12 février 2023 Gouvernement Christodoulídis Coalition ...

41st Tharallah Division

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: 41st Tharallah Division – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2016) (Learn how and when t...

 

李光耀之死

李光耀逝世及葬礼李光耀（1923年－2015年）日期2015年3月23日－2015年3月29日地点新加坡斯里淡马锡（私人守灵）新加坡国会大厦（民众瞻仰）新加坡国立大学文化中心（国葬）万礼火葬场（英语：Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium）（火葬）网站www.rememberingleekuanyew.sg 2015年3月23日凌晨3時18分（新加坡標準時間），新加坡建国后首任总理、前內閣资政和执政人民行动党首任秘书长李光�...

 

Wendy the Good Little Witch

American comics character and comic book Fictional character Wendy the Good Little WitchCasper the Friendly Ghost characterClipart from WendyFirst appearanceCasper the Friendly Ghost #20 (May 1954)Created bySteve Mufatti (artist)Portrayed byHilary DuffIn-universe informationFull nameWendyTitleThe Good Little WitchRelativesCasper Wendy the Good Little Witch is a fictional comic book character from Harvey Comics. Like Casper the Friendly Ghost and Hot Stuff the Little Devil, Wendy is an opposit...

Flamine marziale

Busto di un flamine Il flamine marziale (latino Flamen Martialis) era il sacerdote dell'antica Roma preposto al culto di Marte. Il flamine marziale non era regolato da quei divieti rigidi che invece vincolavano la vita del flamine diale né era obbligato, come il diale, a partecipare ad alcuna cerimonia, anche se da una testimonianza di Cassio Dione si può ragionevolmente supporre che il flamine Marziale partecipasse al rito dell'Equus october, una corsa di bighe che si teneva alle Idi di ot...

 

منتخب تايبيه الصينية لكرة السلة للسيدات

منتخب تايبيه الصينية لكرة السلة للسيدات  تايبيه الصينية التصنيف 39 ▲ 1 (1 أكتوبر 2018)[1] انضم للاتحاد الدولي 1981 البلد  تايبيه الصينية كأس العالم لكرة السلة المشاركة 4 بطولة آسيا  [لغات أخرى]‏ المشاركة 22 الميداليات (1): 1972 (8): 1965, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1986, 1988, 1999, 2005 الموقع الرسم�...

 

Sahel, Tunisia

Area of central eastern Tunisia This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Sahel, Tunisia – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Ribat of Monastir Amphitheatre of El Jem The Tunisian Sahel (Arabic: الساحل) or more precisely the Centr...

Love Connection

American television dating game show This article is about the television game show. For the 1979 jazz music album, see The Love Connection. Love ConnectionGenreDating game showCreated byEric LieberDirected byPaul Miller[1]Deborah Miller[1]Tom McConnell[1]Presented byChuck WooleryPat BullardAndy CohenNarrated byRod RoddyGene WoodRich JeffriesJohnny GilbertJohn CervenkaCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishNo. of seasons11 (1983–1994)1 (1998–1999)2 (...

 

Statuti viscontei di Milano

Questa voce sugli argomenti Milano e storia del diritto è solo un abbozzo. Contribuisci a migliorarla secondo le convenzioni di Wikipedia. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Versione a stampa del 1480 Gli Statuti viscontei di Milano sono raccolte di norme, realizzate dal comune di Milano nel corso del XIV secolo. Indice 1 Aspetti generali 2 Fonti 2.1 Versione del 1330 2.2 Versione del 1351 2.3 Versione del 1396 2.3.1 Edizioni a stampa 3 Contenuti 3.1 I. Statuta iurisdict...

 

Ardian Bujupi

Albanian-German singer and songwriter Ardian BujupiBujupi in 2019Background informationBorn (1991-04-28) 28 April 1991 (age 33)Pristina, KosovoOriginHeidelberg, Germany / AlbanianOccupation(s)SingersongwriterYears active2011–presentLabelsColumbia[1]Musical artist Ardian Bujupi (Albanian pronunciation: [aɾdiˈan buˈjupi]; born 27 April 1991) is a German-Albanian singer and songwriter. Born in Kosovo, he moved to Germany at a young age and he has been living there ever ...

It's Kind of a Funny Story (film)

2010 American filmIt's Kind of a Funny StoryTheatrical release posterDirected byAnna BodenRyan FleckScreenplay byAnna BodenRyan FleckBased onIt's Kind of a Funny Storyby Ned VizziniProduced byKevin MisherBen BrowningStarring Keir Gilchrist Emma Roberts Viola Davis Lauren Graham Jim Gaffigan Zoë Kravitz Zach Galifianakis CinematographyAndrij ParekhEdited byAnna BodenMusic byBroken Social SceneProductioncompaniesMisher FilmsWayfare EntertainmentDistributed byFocus FeaturesRelease dates Septemb...

 

黃毓民

此條目可能包含原创研究。 (2016年10月25日)请协助補充参考资料、添加相关内联标签和删除原创研究内容以改善这篇条目。详细情况请参见讨论页。 此條目需要补充更多来源。 (2016年10月25日)请协助補充多方面可靠来源以改善这篇条目，无法查证的内容可能會因為异议提出而被移除。致使用者：请搜索一下条目的标题（来源搜索：黃毓民 — 网页、新闻、书籍、学术、图像...