What's the origin of the phrase to “do one”?
The phrase to "do one" — essentially an insult meaning to "do a disappearing act" (if the Urban Dictionary's definitions* are anything to go by) — seems to be a fairly recent phenomenon. Where did it come from? Is there any particular usage of it (such as by a celebrity or on a TV show) that led to it gaining traction?
*warning: some of the definitions contain expletives
etymology idioms
edited Apr 3 '13 at 23:14
RegDwigнt♦
82.6k31281377
asked Apr 3 '13 at 14:47
Waggers
6,32211941
|
show 2 more comments
The phrase to "do one" — essentially an insult meaning to "do a disappearing act" (if the Urban Dictionary's definitions* are anything to go by) — seems to be a fairly recent phenomenon. Where did it come from? Is there any particular usage of it (such as by a celebrity or on a TV show) that led to it gaining traction?
*warning: some of the definitions contain expletives
etymology idioms
edited Apr 3 '13 at 23:14
RegDwigнt♦
82.6k31281377
asked Apr 3 '13 at 14:47
Waggers
6,32211941
4
Urban Dictionary is an interesting window into the way a few young Americans talk, but not to be relied on as a guide to English usage.
– TimLymington
Apr 3 '13 at 14:51
2
@TimLymington True - but there are plenty of other examples of this phrase being used. I asked the question because I was about to use it myself, and started wondering where it came from. It's definitely colloquial/slangy in nature, not for general use as you rightly say.
– Waggers
Apr 3 '13 at 14:56
possible duplicate of What did "your mom did a number on you" mean in Seinfeld?. I was pretty boggled when I tried to do a Google search for do a number using Google Chrome (apparently the search engine though I was going to search for do a barrel roll). Those guys are weird.
– FumbleFingers
Apr 3 '13 at 17:30
@FumbleFingers Searching for "do one" didn't get me very far either!
– Waggers
Apr 4 '13 at 10:31
It's from the Manchester scene back in the late 80's. "on one"(related to the drug ecstacy), "in one"(in a mood), "do one"(go away)..... you can even hear Shaun Ryder (Manchester band Happy Mondays)sing this on the song "Do it better" from 1988.
– user148228
Nov 19 '15 at 20:22
|
show 2 more comments
The phrase to "do one" — essentially an insult meaning to "do a disappearing act" (if the Urban Dictionary's definitions* are anything to go by) — seems to be a fairly recent phenomenon. Where did it come from? Is there any particular usage of it (such as by a celebrity or on a TV show) that led to it gaining traction?
*warning: some of the definitions contain expletives
etymology idioms
edited Apr 3 '13 at 23:14
RegDwigнt♦
82.6k31281377
asked Apr 3 '13 at 14:47
Waggers
6,32211941
The phrase to "do one" — essentially an insult meaning to "do a disappearing act" (if the Urban Dictionary's definitions* are anything to go by) — seems to be a fairly recent phenomenon. Where did it come from? Is there any particular usage of it (such as by a celebrity or on a TV show) that led to it gaining traction?
*warning: some of the definitions contain expletives
etymology idioms
etymology idioms
edited Apr 3 '13 at 23:14
RegDwigнt♦
82.6k31281377
asked Apr 3 '13 at 14:47
Waggers
6,32211941
edited Apr 3 '13 at 23:14
RegDwigнt♦
82.6k31281377
asked Apr 3 '13 at 14:47
Waggers
6,32211941
edited Apr 3 '13 at 23:14
RegDwigнt♦
82.6k31281377
edited Apr 3 '13 at 23:14
RegDwigнt♦
82.6k31281377
edited Apr 3 '13 at 23:14
RegDwigнt♦
82.6k31281377
82.6k31281377
asked Apr 3 '13 at 14:47
Waggers
6,32211941
asked Apr 3 '13 at 14:47
Waggers
6,32211941
asked Apr 3 '13 at 14:47
Waggers
6,32211941
6,32211941
4
Urban Dictionary is an interesting window into the way a few young Americans talk, but not to be relied on as a guide to English usage.
– TimLymington
Apr 3 '13 at 14:51
2
@TimLymington True - but there are plenty of other examples of this phrase being used. I asked the question because I was about to use it myself, and started wondering where it came from. It's definitely colloquial/slangy in nature, not for general use as you rightly say.
– Waggers
Apr 3 '13 at 14:56
possible duplicate of What did "your mom did a number on you" mean in Seinfeld?. I was pretty boggled when I tried to do a Google search for do a number using Google Chrome (apparently the search engine though I was going to search for do a barrel roll). Those guys are weird.
– FumbleFingers
Apr 3 '13 at 17:30
@FumbleFingers Searching for "do one" didn't get me very far either!
– Waggers
Apr 4 '13 at 10:31
It's from the Manchester scene back in the late 80's. "on one"(related to the drug ecstacy), "in one"(in a mood), "do one"(go away)..... you can even hear Shaun Ryder (Manchester band Happy Mondays)sing this on the song "Do it better" from 1988.
– user148228
Nov 19 '15 at 20:22
|
show 2 more comments
4
Urban Dictionary is an interesting window into the way a few young Americans talk, but not to be relied on as a guide to English usage.
– TimLymington
Apr 3 '13 at 14:51
2
@TimLymington True - but there are plenty of other examples of this phrase being used. I asked the question because I was about to use it myself, and started wondering where it came from. It's definitely colloquial/slangy in nature, not for general use as you rightly say.
– Waggers
Apr 3 '13 at 14:56
possible duplicate of What did "your mom did a number on you" mean in Seinfeld?. I was pretty boggled when I tried to do a Google search for do a number using Google Chrome (apparently the search engine though I was going to search for do a barrel roll). Those guys are weird.
– FumbleFingers
Apr 3 '13 at 17:30
@FumbleFingers Searching for "do one" didn't get me very far either!
– Waggers
Apr 4 '13 at 10:31
It's from the Manchester scene back in the late 80's. "on one"(related to the drug ecstacy), "in one"(in a mood), "do one"(go away)..... you can even hear Shaun Ryder (Manchester band Happy Mondays)sing this on the song "Do it better" from 1988.
– user148228
Nov 19 '15 at 20:22
4
4
Urban Dictionary is an interesting window into the way a few young Americans talk, but not to be relied on as a guide to English usage.
– TimLymington
Apr 3 '13 at 14:51
Urban Dictionary is an interesting window into the way a few young Americans talk, but not to be relied on as a guide to English usage.
– TimLymington
Apr 3 '13 at 14:51
2
2
@TimLymington True - but there are plenty of other examples of this phrase being used. I asked the question because I was about to use it myself, and started wondering where it came from. It's definitely colloquial/slangy in nature, not for general use as you rightly say.
– Waggers
Apr 3 '13 at 14:56
@TimLymington True - but there are plenty of other examples of this phrase being used. I asked the question because I was about to use it myself, and started wondering where it came from. It's definitely colloquial/slangy in nature, not for general use as you rightly say.
– Waggers
Apr 3 '13 at 14:56
possible duplicate of What did "your mom did a number on you" mean in Seinfeld?. I was pretty boggled when I tried to do a Google search for do a number using Google Chrome (apparently the search engine though I was going to search for do a barrel roll). Those guys are weird.
– FumbleFingers
Apr 3 '13 at 17:30
possible duplicate of What did "your mom did a number on you" mean in Seinfeld?. I was pretty boggled when I tried to do a Google search for do a number using Google Chrome (apparently the search engine though I was going to search for do a barrel roll). Those guys are weird.
– FumbleFingers
Apr 3 '13 at 17:30
@FumbleFingers Searching for "do one" didn't get me very far either!
– Waggers
Apr 4 '13 at 10:31
@FumbleFingers Searching for "do one" didn't get me very far either!
– Waggers
Apr 4 '13 at 10:31
It's from the Manchester scene back in the late 80's. "on one"(related to the drug ecstacy), "in one"(in a mood), "do one"(go away)..... you can even hear Shaun Ryder (Manchester band Happy Mondays)sing this on the song "Do it better" from 1988.
– user148228
Nov 19 '15 at 20:22
It's from the Manchester scene back in the late 80's. "on one"(related to the drug ecstacy), "in one"(in a mood), "do one"(go away)..... you can even hear Shaun Ryder (Manchester band Happy Mondays)sing this on the song "Do it better" from 1988.
– user148228
Nov 19 '15 at 20:22
|
show 2 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
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The OED says it's chiefly and originally Liverpool and Lancashire slang and compares it to do a bunk and do a runner. Their earliest citation is the Liverpool soap opera Brookside from 1990:
Look just do one, will y' Sinbad!
answered Apr 3 '13 at 22:25
Hugo
57.8k12167267
If anyone has access to the British Newspaper Archive, could they check what Jeff Brown said on 29 Sept 1988. britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19880929/353/…
– Phil M Jones
Jul 5 at 10:32
add a comment |
It's obviously "do a runner" shortened, and it's particularly prevalent in the Armed Forces. It doesn't only mean "sod off" - it also means "run!"
edited Jun 23 at 13:02
Skooba
3,33652134
answered Jun 23 at 12:38
Fur Queue
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add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
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active
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active
oldest
votes
The OED says it's chiefly and originally Liverpool and Lancashire slang and compares it to do a bunk and do a runner. Their earliest citation is the Liverpool soap opera Brookside from 1990:
Look just do one, will y' Sinbad!
answered Apr 3 '13 at 22:25
Hugo
57.8k12167267
If anyone has access to the British Newspaper Archive, could they check what Jeff Brown said on 29 Sept 1988. britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19880929/353/…
– Phil M Jones
Jul 5 at 10:32
add a comment |
The OED says it's chiefly and originally Liverpool and Lancashire slang and compares it to do a bunk and do a runner. Their earliest citation is the Liverpool soap opera Brookside from 1990:
Look just do one, will y' Sinbad!
answered Apr 3 '13 at 22:25
Hugo
57.8k12167267
If anyone has access to the British Newspaper Archive, could they check what Jeff Brown said on 29 Sept 1988. britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19880929/353/…
– Phil M Jones
Jul 5 at 10:32
add a comment |
The OED says it's chiefly and originally Liverpool and Lancashire slang and compares it to do a bunk and do a runner. Their earliest citation is the Liverpool soap opera Brookside from 1990:
Look just do one, will y' Sinbad!
answered Apr 3 '13 at 22:25
Hugo
57.8k12167267
The OED says it's chiefly and originally Liverpool and Lancashire slang and compares it to do a bunk and do a runner. Their earliest citation is the Liverpool soap opera Brookside from 1990:
Look just do one, will y' Sinbad!
answered Apr 3 '13 at 22:25
Hugo
57.8k12167267
edited Apr 3 '13 at 22:30
answered Apr 3 '13 at 22:25
Hugo
57.8k12167267
answered Apr 3 '13 at 22:25
Hugo
57.8k12167267
answered Apr 3 '13 at 22:25
Hugo
57.8k12167267
57.8k12167267
If anyone has access to the British Newspaper Archive, could they check what Jeff Brown said on 29 Sept 1988. britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19880929/353/…
– Phil M Jones
Jul 5 at 10:32
add a comment |
If anyone has access to the British Newspaper Archive, could they check what Jeff Brown said on 29 Sept 1988. britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19880929/353/…
– Phil M Jones
Jul 5 at 10:32
If anyone has access to the British Newspaper Archive, could they check what Jeff Brown said on 29 Sept 1988. britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19880929/353/…
– Phil M Jones
Jul 5 at 10:32
If anyone has access to the British Newspaper Archive, could they check what Jeff Brown said on 29 Sept 1988. britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19880929/353/…
– Phil M Jones
Jul 5 at 10:32
add a comment |
It's obviously "do a runner" shortened, and it's particularly prevalent in the Armed Forces. It doesn't only mean "sod off" - it also means "run!"
edited Jun 23 at 13:02
Skooba
3,33652134
answered Jun 23 at 12:38
Fur Queue
1
add a comment |
It's obviously "do a runner" shortened, and it's particularly prevalent in the Armed Forces. It doesn't only mean "sod off" - it also means "run!"
edited Jun 23 at 13:02
Skooba
3,33652134
answered Jun 23 at 12:38
Fur Queue
1
add a comment |
It's obviously "do a runner" shortened, and it's particularly prevalent in the Armed Forces. It doesn't only mean "sod off" - it also means "run!"
edited Jun 23 at 13:02
Skooba
3,33652134
answered Jun 23 at 12:38
Fur Queue
1
It's obviously "do a runner" shortened, and it's particularly prevalent in the Armed Forces. It doesn't only mean "sod off" - it also means "run!"
edited Jun 23 at 13:02
Skooba
3,33652134
answered Jun 23 at 12:38
Fur Queue
1
edited Jun 23 at 13:02
Skooba
3,33652134
edited Jun 23 at 13:02
Skooba
3,33652134
edited Jun 23 at 13:02
Skooba
3,33652134
3,33652134
answered Jun 23 at 12:38
Fur Queue
1
answered Jun 23 at 12:38
Fur Queue
1
answered Jun 23 at 12:38
Fur Queue
1
1
add a comment |
add a comment |
protected by Community♦ Dec 20 at 3:24
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
4
Urban Dictionary is an interesting window into the way a few young Americans talk, but not to be relied on as a guide to English usage.
– TimLymington
Apr 3 '13 at 14:51
2
@TimLymington True - but there are plenty of other examples of this phrase being used. I asked the question because I was about to use it myself, and started wondering where it came from. It's definitely colloquial/slangy in nature, not for general use as you rightly say.
– Waggers
Apr 3 '13 at 14:56
possible duplicate of What did "your mom did a number on you" mean in Seinfeld?. I was pretty boggled when I tried to do a Google search for do a number using Google Chrome (apparently the search engine though I was going to search for do a barrel roll). Those guys are weird.
– FumbleFingers
Apr 3 '13 at 17:30
@FumbleFingers Searching for "do one" didn't get me very far either!
– Waggers
Apr 4 '13 at 10:31
It's from the Manchester scene back in the late 80's. "on one"(related to the drug ecstacy), "in one"(in a mood), "do one"(go away)..... you can even hear Shaun Ryder (Manchester band Happy Mondays)sing this on the song "Do it better" from 1988.
– user148228
Nov 19 '15 at 20:22