Your dad's favorite sayings.... - Woodworking Talk

smitty1967 · 05-18-2008, 09:17 AM

Butch and I were trading back and forth in the "Economy" thread down the page in this topic, and an idea struck me.

For a light-hearted, laugh-a-minute look at our fathers, why don't we all post some of the favorite sayings or tidbits of wisdom our dad's used to share with us as young men (and women). Or perhaps that he had to use on you when you acted up?

This all started with Butch's reply "too dumb to slop hogs..."

My dad used to live by the little axiom "If you see a young boy, hit him, because he either just did something or he's just about to..." My two sons have had it memorized since the time they were 3 or 4. Never had to hit them, just the fear of Grandpa saying it was usually enough....

OK, everyone, fire away---lets hear your fathers' best one-liners for discipline, wisdom, wit or whatever....

regards,
smitty

Jim Finn · 05-18-2008, 09:27 AM

OK......... My father, while teaching me the sheetmetal working trade, had a few sayings that I remember: "This is an old Indian trick...I learned it from an old Indian." another was when he ever made a mistake: " you kids are so dumb I have to TEACH you how to make mistakes!"

**Daren** · 05-18-2008, 10:43 AM

As advice on not rushing into something without a plan. "The longer the lather the quicker the shave"

I got dozens for all situations. When I first started the trade (pipefitting) he said "Just walk fast and look worried" and "Fake it till you make it" as a way to stay employed long enough to learn the ropes. The later it was "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with B.S."

"If you can't find the time to do it right, how will you find the time to do it twice ?" as advice on taking pride in ones work and doing it right the first time.

I have many more, those just were off the top of my head.

daryl in nanoose · 05-18-2008, 12:06 PM

I taught you everthing I know and you stll know nothing, You'll be a man before your mother, just to think of a few.

clarionflyer · 05-18-2008, 12:23 PM

He'd always tell (sometimes still does)... "That things as crooked as a dog's hind leg". Thank God I finally bought a jointer...

clarionflyer · 05-18-2008, 12:26 PM

Hey Daren- "Just walk fast and look worried". Amazing how far in life you can get with those words!

Good stuff.

**Daren** · 05-18-2008, 12:27 PM

Or looking at one of my early welds when he was teaching me how, and to this day looking at some of my woodworking projects "Are you going to leave it like that ?"

drcollins804 · 05-18-2008, 01:13 PM

Dad worked as a Tech Specialist on Automation. He always said anybody can be an expert. All it takes is a former small drip placed under extreme pressure.

Butch · 05-18-2008, 03:04 PM

2 classics from Dad(I'm sure you've heard 'em before):

"if that's right then I'm glad I'm wrong...."
&
"I'd like to buy him for what hes' worth & sell him for what he THINKS he's worth"

Nancy Laird · 05-18-2008, 03:38 PM

When I started serious job-hunting, in my early 20s, I was very shy about talking about my accomplishments and skills, and I believe I lost some jobs because of that. My dad told me:

It's a pretty poor dog that can't wag its own tail.

I learned from that, and I learned that if I can't say something nice about myself, I can't expect others to say it for me.

stuart · 05-18-2008, 04:02 PM

"If you can't find the time to do it right, how will you find the time to do it twice ?"

Daren, I think I'll use that one on my boss..lol!

My dad used to say : Well that's what thought did for you.

CNCRob · 05-18-2008, 04:35 PM

Heres one I remember from when I was little. If I bugged him enough about wanting something, He used to say peoples wanting out of jail too.

smitty1967 · 05-18-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CNCRob

Heres one I remember from when I was little. If I bugged him enough about wanting something, He used to say peoples wanting out of jail too.

and along those lines, I always used to be able to get my dad to say, "Well, want in one hand and sh!t in the other and see which one fills up first..."

I loved it, even though it usually meant I wasn't going to get what I wanted. I use it on my 16 y/o twice a week now....

smitty

firehawkmph · 05-18-2008, 09:08 PM

I always remember my dad never wanting to cut the cards when it came to him. He'd always say' a cut dog don't bear no pups'. He was a pretty good poker and pinochle player. The other thing he always told me is 'you never take a man's last beer'. Seemed like good advice.
Mike Hawkins

Handyman · 05-18-2008, 11:46 PM

I'm sure my dad told me a few of those but it's my grandfather that told the most. He used to tell us "if you pickup a ginny pig buy his tail his eyes will fall out" and "if a frog had wings he wouldn't bump his rump when he jumps". I sure miss him

Butch · 05-19-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handyman

.....but it's my grandfather that told the most.......... I sure miss him

yes, and me,too.

Cdat · 05-19-2008, 08:59 PM

Only things between you and me are air and opportunity. (sucks in his breath) Whoops, there goes all the air…

jpw23 · 05-20-2008, 09:18 PM

One of Dad's favorites to me was " Boy! You're dumber in the head than a hog is in the a$$"

LITLHOF · 05-21-2008, 06:32 AM

One thing my dad told me every day, it seems like, was "take it as you come to it." In other words , deal with it or roll with whatever comes along. God rest his soul, he's been gone 58 years. Best regards, Litlhof./

nailgunner7 · 05-21-2008, 08:53 PM

Over the years, I have heard some great ones.
Wood working...early years "Put that down before you put your eye out."
"Its all fun and games till someone loses an eye"
Still not sure at times how he meant things but I always wear my safety glasses.

Electrical work...."Hey now, where does this wire go?"
"What ever you do, don't put your toungue on that."
Gas plumbing...."Was that you or do we have a leak?"

Yes, the pearls of wisdom I got from my dad

Scott A. Mordecki/Nailgunner7