Why do people say "Say Uncle!"? What does that really mean??
437184
Here follows some theories:\n\nThe exact origin of "say uncle" or "cry uncle," an American invention first appearing in written English around 1918, is unclear, but there are, as usual, some interesting theories. One theory posits that "uncle" is actually a mangled form of the Irish word "anacol," meaning "protection" or "safety," making a demand from an aggressor to "cry uncle" equivalent to the thug demanding that his victim "cry for help" as a signal of surrender. There's no real evidence to support this theory, but there certainly was no lack of recent Irish immigrants in the U.S. around the turn of the century, so it's not entirely implausible.\n\nThe other popular theory about "cry uncle" suggests that the phrase may actually be thousands of years old, and that its origins go all the way back to the Roman Empire. According to this theory, Roman children, when beset by a bully, would be forced to say "Patrue, mi Patruissimo," or "Uncle, my best Uncle," in order to surrender and be freed. As to precisely why Ancient Roman bullies forced their victims to "cry uncle," opinions vary. It may be that the ritual was simply a way of making the victim call out for help from a grownup, thus proving his or her helplessness. Alternatively, it may have started as a way of forcing the victim to grant the bully a title of respect -- in Roman times, your father's brother was accorded nearly the same power and status as your father. The form of "uncle" used in the Latin phrase ("patrue") tends to support this theory, inasmuch as it specifically denoted your paternal uncle, as opposed to the brother of your mother ("avunculus"), who occupied a somewhat lower rung in patrilineal Roman society.
760035
I agree with "I'm gonna take and...". My stupid ex-boyfriend would say that all the time, "I'm gonna take and go find parts for my car" or somthing stupid like that. I just wanted to hit him and say why can't you say "I'm going to go find parts for my car". I also hate when people say "wuz up" or "sup" or how ever they say it. It justs makes them sound stupid.
1144858
o_O what do you mean?
723577
They say we shouldn't even use the word "you". Because it will make a person go on the defensive, even if we're not talking about them personally. But use words like we, or someone.\nOne guy told me if I said "we", that's when he'd get offended, because then\nI'd be including him! Can't please everybody!
727480
It is used in the sense of "There you have it", for example, when you plug something in and it works, or you show somebody how to do something, you would say "Bob's your uncle".\n\nI've been using it for over 40 years, and have absolutely no idea why.  It is just a saying.\n\nI found this at www.phrase.org.uk\nEric Partridge lists it in his 'Dictionary of Slang', 1937. He gives it the meaning 'all will be well', which is not quite how it is used now. Partridge states it as dating from circa 1890, although he presents no evidence for that. Also he suggests that it may be derived from the phrase 'all is bob', which meant 'all is well'.\n\nAnother interpretation is that it derives from the supposed nepotism of Lord Salisbury. Piers Brendon, in Eminent Edwardians, 1979, writes:\n\n"... in 1887, Balfour was unexpectedly promoted to the vital front line post of Chief Secretary for Ireland by his uncle Robert, Lord Salisbury."\nVarious authors have surmised that having an uncle Bob who was Prime Minister became synonymous with having a passport to an easy life.
133604
I don't think it is, but sometimes people get uppity when I say it.  Especially if there's a kid in the room.  It can be bad if said with a certain tone and in a certain situation, but I don't think it is generally bad and people need to relax about it.  There are a lot of awfully worse words and phrases out there to devote your energy to.
501806
It's not really a tradition that I know of, and I have many Chinese friends, but there are many reasons he might not have wanted to tell you. Maybe you wouldn't have been able to pronounce it. Maybe he has the "Long Duck Dong" factor going on and it'll sound odd to an English speaker. Maybe his name honors an ancestor and you just don't rank the whole story yet. Just use the name he gave you to use. That's the same respect anyone should be given.
918162
It depends...I've been down this road with the "dears" and the "huns".  The only time I let that slide (sometimes) is if it's an older person...like 70s+ as they (most of the time) mean no disrespect and are just doing that out of habit for anyone young enough to be their children or grandchildren.  HOWEVER anyone else I will always let them know as politely as I can to please don't refer to me as "dear" or "honey", etc.  I ask them to please use my name when speaking with me.  I've gotten a few eyes rollin' or a quick look, but never had a bad comment or repercussion because of it.  It's just disrespectful I think to call anyone that - especially in a working situation.
185746
oooooook? let see how to explain this hmmmm i got it! have you ever heard of slang before like whats up? well its like that except for you are calling someone a name. dont take any offense to it.
713506
he is my friends uncle.
1074000
Oh, man.  That is absolutely hilarious.  Hats off to you, and I say "uncle".
797489
curious phrase, it sounds ridiculous. you need a context.
92668
I think it is spelled "oopsidaisy", and it usually is used when you drop something unintentionally, and want to indicate to others that you are making fun of yourself lightly, as you stoop to pick it up.  \nThough "upsidaisy" might be said when you are picking up a small child, just as a nonsensical statement to indicate "hey, I'm picking you up.  let's smile and be good!"  :)\nI've heard both of these uses.
958471
the man is the lady's uncle, indirectly\nthe lady is the man's niece, indirectly
466596
Very long and touched. It sounds like u missed your Uncle. I can see that you and ur uncle developed a good relationship. He is with you in spirit and watching u write a poem .. He is with you!
627130
This expression originated in the United States in about 1900. The phrase may have some Latin connection. When a Roman boy was in trouble, he cried ‘patrue mi Patruissime’ (‘Uncle my best of uncles’).
845911
"Gross" means nasty or disgusting.  "Dude" is just a guy.  So you can say, "Hey dude, what's up?"  Some people just use the word dude as a exclamation.  Like if you see something crazy or amazing, you just say "Dude!"  or something like "Dude, that's crazy!"