  Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 4956 Registered: 12-2005 |
Did this phrase originate in Detroit or not? I believe the phrase describes someone who is too intent on being productive and so as a result becomes counterproductive. I first heard this phrase in Phoenix and because of the "axle" reference wondered whether it may have originated here in Detroit. Are there any recollections of this phrase being used in Detroit? Context appreciated. Urban Dictionary's best try | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 4014 Registered: 06-2004 |
In my experience that's not a common phrase around here. It sounds more southern or from the central plains. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 4959 Registered: 12-2005 |
Thanks, Lilpup.  Even if this thread goes nowhere it will be a help. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 12063 Registered: 12-2003 |
I've never heard it before, but it conjures up an image of someone getting their tie caught in a spinning axle...I remember my father sharing some of the comic artwork from the Fisher Body plant line workers derogatory to the Foremen who were required to wear ties to show their management over the workers. They usually grew from the ranks of the laborers, and when they got their promotion to tie-wearing they were deemed less able to handle the work...even dangerous to have around the machinery. (and of course, dangerous to have around, since everyone was forced to actually work, they became management snitches) The image in my noggin MUST be from the Fleetwood tour from my early days...but I distinctly have some comic sketch of someone having their tie stuck in some machine. | ||
Flanders_field Member Username: Flanders_field Post Number: 244 Registered: 01-2008 |
I used it with many added expletives when I was checking boxcars at night in the River Rouge railyard in my car, long ago. My muffler/exhaust pipe got wrapped around the axle, when I drove over and snagged a raised manhole cover in the middle of a gravel roadway between the tracks. | ||
Bigdada Member Username: Bigdada Post Number: 10 Registered: 09-2007 |
Isadora Duncan? | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 4960 Registered: 12-2005 |
Oh, gross! From Wikipedia's Isadora Duncan: quote: | ||
Gazhekwe Member Username: Gazhekwe Post Number: 1800 Registered: 08-2007 |
I haven't heard this used, either, but it is a very evocative metaphor. From the Google hits, it is a fairly recent usage. From urbandictionary.com: . wrapped around the axle 13 up, 6 down To be confused by something, to the point of paralysis. Imagine driving a car over a wire fence. The fence becomes wrapped around the axle, stopping the car. This network problem has got me wrapped around the axle. tags confused frustrated paralyzed paralysis by analysis fubar by MarkfromIL Illinois Mar 31, 2006 2. wrapped around the axle 7 up, 2 down To be extremey or overly upset. "Jordan is wrapped around the axle because he has to sit on the bench during the game." tags bothered annoyed mad anxious ticked off by MIL WI Feb 27, 2006 | ||
Realitycheck Member Username: Realitycheck Post Number: 564 Registered: 08-2004 |
Even if this thread goes nowhere it will be a help.Hear, hear -- it already is. We don't discuss etymology here often enough. | ||
Spacemonkey Member Username: Spacemonkey Post Number: 317 Registered: 03-2006 |
I wonder if Axel Rose took his name after detroit as well. | ||
Outoftowner Member Username: Outoftowner Post Number: 156 Registered: 10-2003 |
I hear a little Detroit and a little Pasadena in the name of GNR's lead singer. | ||
Nainrouge Member Username: Nainrouge Post Number: 1270 Registered: 05-2006 |
Perhaps it was in honor of Darwin Award winner James Burns of Alamo, MI? http://darwinawards.com/darwin /darwin1995-02.html | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 5003 Registered: 12-2005 |
LOL Okay. It seems "wrapped around the axle" didn't originate in Detroit. So let me derail this otherwise expired thread with this gem from a caller heard recently on AAR: quote:Is that one new or has anyone heard it before? If so, where? |
