Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 4956 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 9:34 pm: | |
Did this phrase originate in Detroit or not? I believe the phrase describes someone who is too intent on being productive and so as a result becomes counterproductive. I first heard this phrase in Phoenix and because of the "axle" reference wondered whether it may have originated here in Detroit. Are there any recollections of this phrase being used in Detroit? Context appreciated. Urban Dictionary's best try |
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup
Post Number: 4014 Registered: 06-2004
| Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 9:52 pm: | |
In my experience that's not a common phrase around here. It sounds more southern or from the central plains. |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 4959 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 10:31 pm: | |
Thanks, Lilpup. Even if this thread goes nowhere it will be a help. |
Gannon Member Username: Gannon
Post Number: 12063 Registered: 12-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 10:47 pm: | |
I've never heard it before, but it conjures up an image of someone getting their tie caught in a spinning axle...I remember my father sharing some of the comic artwork from the Fisher Body plant line workers derogatory to the Foremen who were required to wear ties to show their management over the workers. They usually grew from the ranks of the laborers, and when they got their promotion to tie-wearing they were deemed less able to handle the work...even dangerous to have around the machinery. (and of course, dangerous to have around, since everyone was forced to actually work, they became management snitches) The image in my noggin MUST be from the Fleetwood tour from my early days...but I distinctly have some comic sketch of someone having their tie stuck in some machine. |
Flanders_field Member Username: Flanders_field
Post Number: 244 Registered: 01-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 12:06 am: | |
I used it with many added expletives when I was checking boxcars at night in the River Rouge railyard in my car, long ago. My muffler/exhaust pipe got wrapped around the axle, when I drove over and snagged a raised manhole cover in the middle of a gravel roadway between the tracks. |
Bigdada Member Username: Bigdada
Post Number: 10 Registered: 09-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 2:29 am: | |
Isadora Duncan? |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 4960 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 10:14 am: | |
Oh, gross! From Wikipedia's Isadora Duncan:quote:As The New York Times noted in its obituary of the dancer on 15 September 1927, "The automobile was going at full speed when the scarf of strong silk began winding around the wheel and with terrific force dragged Miss Duncan, around whom it was securely wrapped, bodily over the side of the car, precipitating her with violence against the cobblestone street. She was dragged for several yards before the chauffeur halted, attracted by her cries in the street. Medical aid was summoned, but it was stated that she had been strangled and killed instantly." |
Gazhekwe Member Username: Gazhekwe
Post Number: 1800 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 10:25 am: | |
I haven't heard this used, either, but it is a very evocative metaphor. From the Google hits, it is a fairly recent usage. From urbandictionary.com: . wrapped around the axle 13 up, 6 down To be confused by something, to the point of paralysis. Imagine driving a car over a wire fence. The fence becomes wrapped around the axle, stopping the car. This network problem has got me wrapped around the axle. tags confused frustrated paralyzed paralysis by analysis fubar by MarkfromIL Illinois Mar 31, 2006 2. wrapped around the axle 7 up, 2 down To be extremey or overly upset. "Jordan is wrapped around the axle because he has to sit on the bench during the game." tags bothered annoyed mad anxious ticked off by MIL WI Feb 27, 2006 |
Realitycheck Member Username: Realitycheck
Post Number: 564 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 10:50 am: | |
Even if this thread goes nowhere it will be a help. Hear, hear -- it already is. We don't discuss etymology here often enough. |
Spacemonkey Member Username: Spacemonkey
Post Number: 317 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 11:02 am: | |
I wonder if Axel Rose took his name after detroit as well. |
Outoftowner Member Username: Outoftowner
Post Number: 156 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 8:59 am: | |
I hear a little Detroit and a little Pasadena in the name of GNR's lead singer. |
Nainrouge Member Username: Nainrouge
Post Number: 1270 Registered: 05-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 11:43 am: | |
Perhaps it was in honor of Darwin Award winner James Burns of Alamo, MI? http://darwinawards.com/darwin /darwin1995-02.html |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 5003 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 9:01 pm: | |
LOL Okay. It seems "wrapped around the axle" didn't originate in Detroit. So let me derail this otherwise expired thread with this gem from a caller heard recently on AAR:quote:Excuse me for being the perfume in your fartfest, but <insert opinion here>. Is that one new or has anyone heard it before? If so, where? |