bucket:
This can mean bin: “The bucket is all that’s good for.”
To bucket something is to throw it out, reject it as not good enough: “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t just bucket this essay?”
A bucket can also mean a large amount of alcohol: “You must’ve had a right bucket last night to end up in a state like this.” Someone who regularly drinks heavily may have it said of him that he takes a good bucket.
If the weather is said to be bucketing it down (or bucketing down) it’s forcefully inclement; like the sky is pouring down buckets of water (on Scotland, typically).
If something or someone has kicked the bucket it means it has died or the gadget no longer works: “Would ye look at that! My radio just kicked the bucket.”
If someone asks, “What’s wrong with his bucket?” Rather than enquiring about the state and upkeep of his garden and household instruments he means what’s wrong with his dour face. Dour (rhyming with moor) means gloomy or sullen. This question is usually taken to be rhetorical.
Hear it (as my youngest interrupts me).
11 responses so far ↓
Mike // Thursday, 21 August, 2008 at 12:23 pm |
I use the saying “bucketing down” when apt and it gets blank stares then an all knowing smile like, what a good way to put that. Ha ha
Kathryn // Thursday, 21 August, 2008 at 12:34 pm |
Wow. So many uses for the word bucket! I never knew.
Anglophile Football Fanatic // Thursday, 21 August, 2008 at 12:34 pm |
Some of those uses are ones we’d use, too. Love the sweetest of interruptions, too. He certainly didn’t want you talking to us, did he.
White Hot Magik // Thursday, 21 August, 2008 at 13:27 pm |
I never knew bucket was such a versatile word.
Melisa // Thursday, 21 August, 2008 at 15:14 pm |
I think you’ve found a co-star!
)
I am going to try to use the word “bucket” in several conversations at the salon tomorrow. I’ll let you know how it goes. (I think it’s supposed to bucket down in my area tomorrow.
Melisa // Friday, 22 August, 2008 at 12:05 pm |
Great news, Siobhan…It IS bucketing down!
Karen // Friday, 22 August, 2008 at 15:07 pm |
It’s been bucketing down here all day! LOL
Jan // Friday, 22 August, 2008 at 17:43 pm |
I’ve heard all of these except the last one. I would say “He had a face like a slapped arse.”
hummynbyrd // Friday, 22 August, 2008 at 19:32 pm |
Brilliant! I especially loved you co-star!
glass half full // Friday, 22 August, 2008 at 21:37 pm |
what a treat to hear the two of you!
bigdogmompam // Monday, 25 August, 2008 at 16:04 pm |
I never get tired of the word of the week. It’s amazing how “kick the bucket” means the same in Scotland and in the US. I could listen to you (and your co-star!) all day.