2007-04-11 04:45:03 · 22 answers · asked by inselaffe67 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Taken just as it is, it isn't rude. For example, "Irving, could you please pass the butter? I'd like to put a nice knob on my biscuit." That would be perfectly acceptable at the dinner table.
However, if you said "Thanks for passing the butter, Irving. This knob is pretty big, I don't know if I can handle it all. Wow, it sure is slippery, though!", then it might be unacceptable.
2007-04-11 04:55:51 · answer #1 · answered by What the Deuce?! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because the expression knob of butter has been around for years and the sort of knob you're thinking about is a much more recent slang term!
2007-04-11 11:49:28 · answer #2 · answered by garfish 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there's a shop in Dublin called 'Knobs and Knockers' it sells door knobs and door knockers ha ha. Been there years, and the political correct brigade hasn't forced it to change it's name.
The other side of the argument is, knob is a legitimate word for something bulbous in shape, so to infer it is rude is just showing a mind that has its thinking somewhere, other than the dictionary.
I love a knob of butter, especially on spuds :-)
2007-04-11 13:27:01 · answer #3 · answered by bee bee 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
knob noun, verb, knobbed, knob·bing.
1. a projecting part, usually rounded, forming the handle of a door, drawer, or the like.
2. a rounded lump or protuberance on the surface or at the end of something, as a knot on a tree trunk.
3. Architecture. an ornamental boss, as of carved work.
4. a rounded hill, mountain, or elevation on a ridge.
–verb (used with object) 5. to produce a knob on.
6. to furnish with a knob.
7. (in stone cutting) to knock off (excess stone) preparatory to dressing; knobble; skiffle.
STOP SNIGGERING YOU FILTHY MINDED LOT!
2007-04-11 14:45:33 · answer #4 · answered by justasiam29 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because a "nob" of butter is a serving of butter and is perfectly acceptable in polite company.
A "knob" of butter is, quite frankly, no good to anyone.
2007-04-11 11:58:16 · answer #5 · answered by bumpity-bump 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is the knob of cheese that is not only rude but very smelly!
2007-04-11 11:52:58 · answer #6 · answered by Karrien Sim Peters 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would "knob of butter" be rude?
2007-04-11 12:06:06 · answer #7 · answered by Terri 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the same way a door knob isn't
2007-04-11 11:50:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because its the name for a bit of butter!
2007-04-11 11:48:26 · answer #9 · answered by loulou 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a knob of cheese is just plain disgusting
2007-04-11 12:50:54 · answer #10 · answered by sinnedfairy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋