BLIMEY
Interjection. Coarse slang. Late 19th century.
Expressing surprise, contempt, etc. Frequently in cor blimey!
Blimey! I'm learning that my parents were wrong about so many things. As a child, for example, blimey was most definitely on the 'unacceptable words' list on account of it meaning 'God blind me' (according to Mum). But it doesn't, or not necessarily anyway. Were I to say 'Cor blimey!' or 'Gorblimey!' it would be a different matter, but I didn't, and I don't think I would have ever been picked up for saying 'Cor!'. And while the origin of blimey might be 'blind me' (an invocation that I've no doubt would still have warranted maternal proscription regardless of whether or not God was involved), it's origin is possibly 'blame me' which, as far as interjections go, seems rather more socially responsible considering it was most probably uttered after I'd just broken something.
I used both blimey and cor blimey growing up, and still do today.
ReplyDeleteNever got in trouble for either of them.
But had I said sh**, watch out!
I learned to say poop instead! :)
I don't know. I don't think I would reprimand any child of mine for shouting that if a brick was just about to fall on my head.
DeleteI suppose context is key : o )
Living in a culture where I, once again, have never heard someone utter the exclamation blimey, I quite like it. In my opinion, it is much less coarse and vulgar than many alternatives people typically employ, though I do see your mom's point that crying out for God to blind you is a bit...iffy, if that were the best interpretation of the word.
ReplyDeleteIt's not particularly coarse in truth - it's quite old fashioned and mild. I'm surprised the OED lists it as 'coarse slang'.
DeleteCoarse blimey!
DeleteBlimey ... of course, Nick! Grr.
DeleteIf blimey's related to blind me, then somewhere inbetween the two there must've been a person with a giant slur.
ReplyDeleteHa!
DeleteThe evolution of the English language owes a lot to inveterate drunks shlurring their words. I think. It's a good theory anyway.
DeleteI blinkin' enjoyed today's post, darn it.
ReplyDelete-clueless.
Thank you C.
Deletegreat stuff Ed
ReplyDeleteCheers, Dillon.
Deletelebron 18
ReplyDeletekyrie irving shoes
kyrie 6 shoes
off white hoodie
golden goose sneakers
kobe shoes
curry 5 shoes
golden goose sneakers
kyrie 7
hermes