"Black as a witches Tit"
Gentleman Aviator
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Teetering Towers - somewhere in the Shires
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".....
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: UK
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.
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: UK
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 ...')
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: Everywhere
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.............
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 127
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From: NSW Australia
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 !!!!!'. 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 !!!!!'. Never heard it used before or since! Anyone else?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Europe
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 !!!!!'. 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 !!!!!'. Never heard it used before or since! Anyone else?
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,199
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From: Hunched over a keyboard
"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!
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: UK
Guest
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 585
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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 !!!!!'. 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 !!!!!'. Never heard it used before or since! Anyone else?
I never had an opportunity to use it myself though subsequently...
sv
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1
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From: South 'Ampshire
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.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 127
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From: NSW Australia
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!
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Vale of York
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 December 2006 at 16:13. Reason: speiling
