I was riding the elevator up to work today. It was unusually slow with a stop at 8 in the 15-floor block of the elevator. When the last person got off with me, he said, "looks like we really caught the local." I know him, and doubt he knows the etimology of that statemet. It got me thinking of just how many statements are out there in every day language that derive from railroad--most, people don't even realize that they come from railroading:
In addition to "looks like we caught the local" for the elevator ride, I have heard, "looks like we got behind a real milk train."
"He will make the grade" and "you are on the right track" are probably the most ubiquitous.
Any others that come to mind?
Gabe
Haha! I thought we were the only ones with lousy elevators, we refer to them like subway trains, catching the "local" which stops at every floor, or catching the "express" which goes staight to your floor.
Others,
Off your trolley, (fallen off your trolley, implying head injury or other serious lapse in judgement because your out of common agreement with others, howver it could also refer to the trolley coming off the rails, as a contraction of "your trolleys gone off its rails" see below)
On the right track (self explainitory)
Coming off the rails, Gone off your rails (another trolley term where the trolley once derailed, would often continue rolling down the street often doing serious damage)
The caboose aint hooked to the engine (self explainitory)
Highballing it (driving fast, originally from when track signals used a large sphere on a pole, a "high" ball on the pole ment track clear so the train could proceed at full speed.
Have fun with your trains
one that I have borrowed from the y101."that's a good deal".
stay safe
joe
Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").
Methinks "off your trolley" refers to the pickup (trolley) on the trolley wire. If trolley comes off the wire, you're not going anywhere...
"Ran out of steam" could have a railroad origin, although there are many other kinds of steam engines.
"End of the line" probably fits in the same category - maybe, maybe not.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
On the right "track" may have originally refered to a path.
CSSHEGEWISCH wrote:"Asleep at the switch" for not paying attention or other dereliction of duty.
Good one. I also liked highballing it. Both are very common parlance, but I doubt that most people know what they refer to.
He has a full head of steam.
We got the high sign.
The train has left the station.
He came through like an express.
23 17 46 11
edblysard wrote:The real McCoy....
So who was the real McCoy?
Also, how can I forget:"He was railroaded."
Only a Railfan would make that claim.
gabe wrote: edblysard wrote:The real McCoy....So who was the real McCoy?Gabe
Elijah McCoy was a inventor from Canada who invented many devices for application on steam engines..he received almost 100 US and CA patents....the term itself comes from a lubricator he invented for crossheads...it worked so well that many patient infringers attemtped to copy it unsuccessfully and hence the term "its a real McCoy"...note the term doesnt say "the real.."...the term obiviously changed over the years as Elijah was forgotten.
Gabe,
Contrary to what rabble might believe, the "Real McCoy" was a term used in reference to a bearing lubricator, invented by Elijah McCoy and quite popular with locomotive shops, due to its ruggedness and serviceability.
Engineers often asked if the locomotive was equipped with "the real McCoy" lubricator.
Here is a link....
http://www.africawithin.com/bios/elijah_mccoy.htm
Quite a few of McCoy other industrial designs are still in use today.
Sadly, most Americans know very little about him, he is not often mentioned in the history books....even with Black History month, he is often forgotten.
And yes, Rabble, I am a railfan, along with being a railroader.
And you would be?
edblysard wrote: Gabe,Contrary to what rabble might believe, the "Real McCoy" was a term used in reference to a bearing lubricator, invented by Elijah McCoy and quite popular with locomotive shops, due to its ruggedness and serviceability.Engineers often asked if the locomotive was equipped with "the real McCoy" lubricator.Here is a link....http://www.africawithin.com/bios/elijah_mccoy.htm Quite a few of McCoy other industrial designs are still in use today.Sadly, most Americans know very little about him, he is not often mentioned in the history books....even with Black History month, he is often forgotten.And yes, Rabble, I am a railfan, along with being a railroader. And you would be?
I would be someone that made a 'Railfan" comment. Based on the fact that only a Railfan
would believe the "the real Mc Coy" term is based solely on Elijay McCoy.
As a matter of fact after some research it is not the most popular belief.
Being a Railfan/Railroader does not make you an expert on this topic.
This one I got from Wikipedia, so believe at your own risk.
In the early days of railroads, small communities didn't have infrastructure set up to re-supply steam locomotives with water. And so the crew would stop at a nearby river and refill the tanks with buckets. This process was referred to as "jerking water", hence the term "jerkwater town".
I wonder how long it took to refill a locomotive by hand...
Located in the "Condensers and Water Re-Supply section: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotive
In Germany they often use the phrase, "Der Zug ist abgefahren,"/that train has departed, which means about the same as "missing the boat". "Auf dem Abstellgleis"/on the spur refers to something becoming obsolete.
What about getting "sidetracked"?
Does it count when a railfan or railroader attaches a caboose to his daughter's train at her wedding?
Kind of backwards, but...
As for "jerkwater" (which is one notch below "tank town"), most steam locomotives could be set up to siphon the necessary water out of said stream, so bucket brigades weren't necessary. It had better be good, pure water, though.
The "wrong side of the tracks" usually referred at one time to whichever side the prevailing winds blew toward--laundry and everything else would be soiled by steam and coal smoke.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Lee Koch wrote: In Germany they often use the phrase, "Der Zug ist abgefahren,"/that train has departed, which means about the same as "missing the boat". "Auf dem Abstellgleis"/on the spur refers to something becoming obsolete.What about getting "sidetracked"?
Sidetracked is another good one. I just think it is amazing how many phrases are all around us with regard to railroading.
Really,
So, being a no one with no history makes you an expert on what is and is not true?
You imply that simply because you say so makes it un-true...how arrogant.
Odd, I don't see any links backing up your statement, nor any links showing the "recent research" you mention, yet the link I provided offers a few more sources, as does a quick Google search.
You also implied that being a railfan was not something to be proud of...so what is a non railfan like you doing on a railfan forum?
RABEL wrote: edblysard wrote: Gabe,Contrary to what rabble might believe, the "Real McCoy" was a term used in reference to a bearing lubricator, invented by Elijah McCoy and quite popular with locomotive shops, due to its ruggedness and serviceability.Engineers often asked if the locomotive was equipped with "the real McCoy" lubricator.Here is a link....http://www.africawithin.com/bios/elijah_mccoy.htm Quite a few of McCoy other industrial designs are still in use today.Sadly, most Americans know very little about him, he is not often mentioned in the history books....even with Black History month, he is often forgotten.And yes, Rabble, I am a railfan, along with being a railroader. And you would be? I would be someone that made a 'Railfan" comment. Based on the fact that only a Railfan would believe the "the real Mc Coy" term is based solely on Elijay McCoy.As a matter of fact after some research it is not the most popular belief.Being a Railfan/Railroader does not make you an expert on this topic.
being how Elijah got his Industrial start in Detroit and going to a public school between Detroit and Lansing i learned about Mssr. McCoy in grade school in the 70's...Thats my background on him....yes like all terms and phrases that have made it into the fame of being a cliche this "history" of this one is a matter of conjucture....but I for one believe it....and i dont believe much at Wikiwhatever without checking outside sources first....
the rest of my background comes from being a study of RR history. a lifelong Railfan. and a railroader
DanLW wrote: This one I got from Wikipedia, so believe at your own risk.In the early days of railroads, small communities didn't have infrastructure set up to re-supply steam locomotives with water. And so the crew would stop at a nearby river and refill the tanks with buckets. This process was referred to as "jerking water", hence the term "jerkwater town".I wonder how long it took to refill a locomotive by hand...Located in the "Condensers and Water Re-Supply section: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotive
I'd heard the terms "jerkwater town" and "tank town" long before Wikipedia. Also "whistle stop" if someone hasn't said that yet.
And "one-track mind," meaning mentally dogged or fixated: "My boss has a one-track mind about pay raises. He's against them."
The traffic people on Chicago TV and radio refer to Interstate 294 a/k/a Tri-State Tollway, as the "main line." [Does that make the other expressways branches or spurs?]
And "railhead"? I guess that's a very Midwestern term.
How about "train wreck"?
"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics
vsmith wrote:A girl once told me, "you have a one track mind" to which I replied "You wanna come up and see my Railroad? Imagine her surprise when she did come up and DID find a model RR stuck in the corner......and no I didnt start fiddling with it...get real.
one track mind? im sorry I prefer a doubble track.
The number of posts made has no bearing on being an expert or what is true
or not. I haven't claimed the Expert title. You're reading comprehension is lacking
concerning my original comment. Speaking of arrogance who are you to ask me
what I'm doing here? These were my sources concernng Mr. McCoy.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-mcc1.htm
http://www.blackinventor.com/pages/elijahmccoy.html
oscaletrains wrote: vsmith wrote:A girl once told me, "you have a one track mind" to which I replied "You wanna come up and see my Railroad? Imagine her surprise when she did come up and DID find a model RR stuck in the corner......and no I didnt start fiddling with it...get real. one track mind? im sorry I prefer a doubble track.
With bi-directional running?
Gosh, Vic, you sound just like the guy who invited the girl up to see his etchings. She didn't believe him, so she was surprised to find he had 'em on all the walls; but there was no furniture: no table, no sofa, no bed, nothin' - she was really floored.
Art
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