Idiom: As black as Newgate's knocker

[Haihao]

One more 'as...as': As bright as a button.

Should I suggest a button is always touched so kept its brightness?

Thank you!

Haihao

[Yankee]

Hi Haihao

That's another one I don't know. I've heard "(as) cute as a button", however.
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[MrPedantic]

You sometimes hear "as bright as a button" in the UK; though often with a punning sense of "bright = intelligent".

I wonder whether it refers to metal buttons, such as you find on e.g. military garments.

MrP

[Haihao]

Just a few more I have no idea about the origin of:

#1 As busy as a one legged arse kicker (the kicker would fall down if he tried to do so in his condition)
#2 As camp as a row of tents (it suggests ordinary or boring but why?)
#3 As broad as it is long (so it's square?)
#4 As brown as a berry (berry is more black than brown)

Thank you!

[MrPedantic]

Hello Haihao,

"Brown" in OE (brun) meant "dark and shining", like many kinds of berry; the specific range of colour is a later development.

In #3, yes, I would say so ("square"): "it has two equal dimensions", i.e. "there are two equal ways of looking at it".

In #2, "camp" (of a man) means "(engagingly) effeminate". It is a mock-simile: a "camp" is a collection of tents; therefore if you are as "camp as a row of tents", you are exceedingly effeminate (in an engaging way).

I haven't heard #1 before, but I like your interpretation.

All the best,

MrP

[Haihao]

Hello MrP,

Good to have your comments again and they convinced (not persuaded here :) ) me completely!

Haihao

[MrPedantic]

[Haihao]

I have a new one today:

As cold as a well digger's arse

Why should the digger's arse be cold enough?

[Haihao]

I have some more:

#1 As cold as a witch's tit -> Why? Is there some saying?
#2 As cold as any stone - > OK, stone is cold.
#3 As cold as blue blazes -> No idea. It's hot!

[Susiejcraig]

I am 48 and my mother used to use this expression to me when I got dirty in the garden. I have found myself using it too but never heard it from another person. I have asked friends of my age if they had ever heard it before and they haven't, interesting huh? Surely there must be others who have heard it being used or am I the only person alive still using it?! lol

[David229]

This is a very old saying. Newgate prison, that was next to the site of the Old Bailey in the City of London, used to have a large brass knocker on the main wooden doors that tarnished and became very dark. hence: as dark or as black as newgates knocker.

[David229]

How about: as lazy as pauls workmen. Ever heard that one??
my grandmother, born in the 1880s used this. Apparently it derives from the fact that St Pauls Cathedral took such a long time to rebuild after the fire.
I am now 47, and hav'nt heard it since she died back in 1971.