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by Jodie44 on January 27th, 2006
Have you forgotten that the hoot-owl's hoot is used in the same manner?
"I don't give a hoot about the man in your moon."
"I don't give a rat's ass about ..." See? Same idea. Owls get picked on, too.
Maybe our choice has less to do with a specific animal and more to do with the way the phrase "rat's ass" rolls off the tongue. At least that's my take. "Rat's" and "ass" together makes a complementary sound. Better than "porcupine's ass" or "ostrich's ass," anyway. The sharp "T" sound in mid-phrase keeps it from morphing into one big long noise, like "rrraaaaassssss". Helps to keep the two words, or two syllables, apart. All in all, "rat's ass" is a phrase that works, even if it does spotlight the already maligned rodentia.
Let's not even get into the way "rat's butt" sounds. When I want to indulge in the "b" word, I throw the word "duck" up first.
"I don't give a duck's butt who's calling. I can't come to the phone right now."
"But it's the president. He needs your advice. Again."
"Oh brother. He just doesn't get it, does he? I can't influence the other Answerbag members to change their low ratings on all his bad answers. I don't give a rat's ass who he is or how much he whines."
While "duck" and "butt" don't exactly rhyme, they sound alike. It's a good combo. Plus the picture it conjures up of a duck's little yellow tail feathers sticking out as the imaginary duck waddles along, quack, quack, quacking makes me laugh. You know - quacks me up.
I hope this sheds some light on the matter.
by zifhard on October 18th, 2007
i could'nt give A William Shatner's ass about the hole thing!
by Hai_T on January 24th, 2011
I love how this guy spent ALOT of time pondering this. and then wrote it down. :)
by night_whispers50 on October 27th, 2010
Because I was in high school at the time, but looks like everyone liked the saying because it is used all over the world, not bad i would say :)
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You're reading Why do we say "couldn't give a rat's ass"? Why specifically a rat's ass, and not some other creature?
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Comments
Good answer, but I don't give a cat's whisker :-)
by HungryGuy on January 28th, 2006
and I don't give a stegosaurus' elbow.
by lady fuschia on February 19th, 2006
I'm tired of writing LMBO. I need a new phrase. How about LMRAO laughing my rat's ass off.
by unknown on June 5th, 2007
LMRAO. Love it!
by Jodie44 on June 5th, 2007
LMRAO. : )
by unknown on June 5th, 2007
LMRAO too, you rat bastards.
by gtravels loves her life penguin on June 21st, 2007
Good grief G. Better late than never. : ) Are you home now?
by unknown on June 21st, 2007
Jodie just linked me to this one. I don't know how I missed it the first time around. Probably on a trip. Nope, still in Harrisburg with the one and only wild wacky one. Will be home on Saturday. Going into Manhattan on Sunday to see the show Wicked with the family. Appropriate title, yes?
by gtravels loves her life penguin on June 21st, 2007
LOL I hope you are enjoying yourself. You seem happy.
by unknown on June 21st, 2007
Let's remember that other people are linked to this thread who may not be interested in our banter.
by Jodie44 on June 21st, 2007
Then they probably won't give a rat's ass and just move on;)
by gtravels loves her life penguin on June 21st, 2007
G! we can discuss this on one of our threads. That way no one else is privy. : )
by unknown on June 21st, 2007
I hear ya loud and clear babe, loud and clear:)
by gtravels loves her life penguin on June 21st, 2007
No, it's inconsiderate to fill up other people's feedback pages when they've only commented once or twice. People, me included, are getting tired of that
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/327611
by Jodie44 on June 21st, 2007
No problem. It won't happen again.
by gtravels loves her life penguin on June 21st, 2007
Thank you for taking the time to discuss my saying, but do not know why i chose a rats ass, but like you said it does roll out nice and smooth, but thank you for liking it :)
by night_whispers50 on October 27th, 2010