"Black as a witches Tit"
Gentleman Aviator
Only ever heard the "cold as ...." variety myself. If I ever thought about it, I guess it's down to chill factor on broom sticks.
Don't think it could be from "tit for tat"=hat though Chicken Leg. As a fully paid up gor-blimey-luvva-duck-Landaner I've only ever heard "titfer" as a abbreviation rather than "tit".....
Don't think it could be from "tit for tat"=hat though Chicken Leg. As a fully paid up gor-blimey-luvva-duck-Landaner I've only ever heard "titfer" as a abbreviation rather than "tit".....
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I first heard the expression when Peter Cook and Dudley Moor used it in one of their great sketches of the mid-60s. Can't remember the context. " 'It was as black as a witches' tit, your honour,' I said", or somesuch.
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I'm with you on this one, Wensleydale.
Except that more modern interpretations of the "Black as..." phrase often replace 'cat' with a FOUR-letter word that also begins with 'c' and ends in 't'.
I've heard an old-school professional photographer refer to 'WC' conditions (i.e. 'Black as a ...')
Except that more modern interpretations of the "Black as..." phrase often replace 'cat' with a FOUR-letter word that also begins with 'c' and ends in 't'.
I've heard an old-school professional photographer refer to 'WC' conditions (i.e. 'Black as a ...')
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Got to be Jurby Range at the dead of night upside down doing some silly loft attack in a howling gale while pis#ing with rain. Very black and definately tits up if you did not recover - not sure where the witch came in but.............
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Hooray,a chance to get off PPRunes 'not trying' list!
I've always thought of it as 'cold as....' But another I heard way back in the dark ages when doing the CFS course wasfrom our USAF squadron commander, who referred to an icy runway as 'slippery as owl sh*t'. Never heard it used before or since! Anyone else?
I've always thought of it as 'cold as....' But another I heard way back in the dark ages when doing the CFS course wasfrom our USAF squadron commander, who referred to an icy runway as 'slippery as owl sh*t'. Never heard it used before or since! Anyone else?
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Hooray,a chance to get off PPRunes 'not trying' list!
I've always thought of it as 'cold as....' But another I heard way back in the dark ages when doing the CFS course wasfrom our USAF squadron commander, who referred to an icy runway as 'slippery as owl sh*t'. Never heard it used before or since! Anyone else?
I've always thought of it as 'cold as....' But another I heard way back in the dark ages when doing the CFS course wasfrom our USAF squadron commander, who referred to an icy runway as 'slippery as owl sh*t'. Never heard it used before or since! Anyone else?
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"Flat as a witches tit" is the phrase I know well.
"Black as a .............. arsehole" - the missing word can not be used in the traditional saying for fear of having Trevor Philips and the whole of the CRE landing on my head!
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Hooray,a chance to get off PPRunes 'not trying' list!
I've always thought of it as 'cold as....' But another I heard way back in the dark ages when doing the CFS course wasfrom our USAF squadron commander, who referred to an icy runway as 'slippery as owl sh*t'. Never heard it used before or since! Anyone else?
I've always thought of it as 'cold as....' But another I heard way back in the dark ages when doing the CFS course wasfrom our USAF squadron commander, who referred to an icy runway as 'slippery as owl sh*t'. Never heard it used before or since! Anyone else?
I never had an opportunity to use it myself though subsequently...
sv
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Definitely Mixed Metaphors...
Black as Pitch.
As Cold as a Witches Tit.
(as for a Witches tit being cold, no one was ever going to get the warmth of the - "Milk of human kindness" - from a witches tit.)
I rest my case.
Black as Pitch.
As Cold as a Witches Tit.
(as for a Witches tit being cold, no one was ever going to get the warmth of the - "Milk of human kindness" - from a witches tit.)
I rest my case.
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Thanks sidevalve. I've always thought it was probably an American expression, and your version is certainly better. I really only remember the reference to owl, excrement and slippery, and since I only flew with the chap once, in November 1957, have a bit of an excuse for not quite getting it right!
I would imagine there would be more occasion to use it at Keflavik, and now and again at Little Rissington, than in this neck of the woods just now!
I would imagine there would be more occasion to use it at Keflavik, and now and again at Little Rissington, than in this neck of the woods just now!
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An old (Irish) instructor of mine used to comment after a particularly smooth landing (his) 'as smooth as a cat p1ssing on glass'. Never heard it before or since.
I like the way Google is advertising witches hats on this thread - no tits available?
I like the way Google is advertising witches hats on this thread - no tits available?
Last edited by Arthur Rowe; 12th Dec 2006 at 16:13. Reason: speiling
