Who HAS heard of the following expression, when, where and under what conditions?: "I gave it a lick and a promise". Anyone who has NOT heard it, please do not respond in order to accumulate those "EVER-LOVING points"!
2006-09-01 06:49:16 · 4 answers · asked by gedanini3@yahoo.com 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I'm wondering if it is a "Southern" expression as I had NEVER heard it 'til I arrived in The South at age 20, nearly 50 years ago.
2006-09-01 07:02:09 · update #1
In response to keepsondancing, I must not have been paying attention, as I was saying, I had neeeever heard it that expression in my first 20 years!
2006-09-02 03:37:13 · update #2
I use it all the time after a very cursory housecleaning. If I haven't had the time or inclination to shine and polish and dust, I give my home "a lick and a promise." Not the thorough cleaning I would like to have done.
2006-09-01 06:53:19 · answer #1 · answered by Fall Down Laughing 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I live in the Northeast and I think it's pretty universal. When you do a halfassed job of something (usually cleaning or tidying) with the intention of coming back to do a more thorough job later, that's a lick and a promise.
2006-09-02 10:30:58 · answer #2 · answered by keepsondancing 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
tried out once for basketball team once... and failed to make it.... but i promise myself to improve. the following year, i made it to the team.... it was just a company's team anyway. but i did manage to help the team to win the crown... so, "i gave it a lick and a promise" does that made your grade?
2006-09-01 14:01:08 · answer #3 · answered by VeRDuGo 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I have heard and used them. They have been around awhile.
2006-09-01 13:55:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋