I'm from Japan and studying in the US now.
While I was doing my assignments, I found the following expression;
"Be there, or be square."
What does this mean? Is this a figurative way to describe something? I can't imagine a person being a square (shape). This sounds really weird.
Could you tell me what this expression means?
Thank you for your help!
2007-11-16 10:32:32 · 12 answers · asked by Curious Taka 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
John, your Japanese is wondeful! I know you're studying in Japan, right? As I said, I'm studying in the US now, too. John mo ganbatte ne!
And, of course, all your answers are really informative!
2007-11-17 05:51:25 · update #1
"Square" is short for "square peg" and comes from the metaphor "a square peg in a round hole" meaning "someone who doesn't fit in with his peers".
So "be there or be square!" is a light-hearted way to say "show up at my party or be a social outcast"
2007-11-16 10:51:05 · answer #1 · answered by maxnull 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a somewhat old expression, but it's still used sometimes. "Square" was once slang for being "uncool" or "lame" (if you know this slang word).. So when you say "Be there, or be square" you are saying that if you don't come, you won't be cool.. because all the cool kids will be there. It makes the event you're talking about sound better. Usually you only hear it as a joke now, it's not a serious phrase. Hope that makes sense. :)
2007-11-16 18:39:58 · answer #2 · answered by SleepyGene 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I grew up "Square" meant square deal etc denoting fair, on the up-an-up, OK.
I believe this expression dates from that same time framework and thus have always interpreted it to mean be there on time or have a good excuse for not being on time.
2007-11-16 19:32:03 · answer #3 · answered by klby 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Square means uncool or "different". I believe it comes from the expression "you can't fit a square peg in a round hole" but I'm not sure. Mostly "Be there or be square" rhymes.
2007-11-16 18:40:25 · answer #4 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Basically, it means that if you don't show up at a cool party, you are out of touch. "Square" being the old term for someone who's a wallflower, etc. who doesn't join in with the "in" crowd doing things.
- The Gremlin Guy -
2007-11-16 18:41:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it means if you do not arrive at this location, you should raise yourself to the second power.
This can be done my multiplying yourself. The old fashioned way is to impregnate women.
However, for a more accurate squaring, you can clone your DNA in a test tube.
2007-11-16 19:18:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A square being a nerd, geek, dork...un-hip, un-cool, unpopular, not with-it, etc. ...sort of person..."be there or be square" means about the same as "everyone who is anyone will be there", which is to say if you're not there you're nobody.
2007-11-16 18:38:37 · answer #7 · answered by Max A 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it means go to the location (be there) or be not cool, (square)
square = not cool = nerd = not with the in crowd.
not sure its used much any more, its from my day which is a long time ago.
2007-11-16 18:44:03 · answer #8 · answered by joes_old 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's like saying "everyone important will be there" implying that if you're not there, you're not anyone important, you're not "in the know", you're not hip, you're ordinary, you're "square".
2007-11-16 18:42:17 · answer #9 · answered by Big Red Ten 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Be there or you'll be out of the loop (not part of the in crowd)
2007-11-16 19:25:50 · answer #10 · answered by llselva4 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋