The Off Topic Topic

[Josquius]

Yes, I thought pear shaped was just in reference to pears not being round.

[Grey Fox]

To me it refers to big & wide ass & small boobs.

[crazy canuck]

Yes, I thought pear shaped was just in reference to pears not being round.

As people became more pear shaped, it took on that meaning.

[Barrister]

To me it refers to big & wide ass & small boobs.

"pear shaped" does have that meaning when talking about people, usually women.

"going pear shaped" it a euphemism, primarily British, that things are going wrong.  It was nothing to do with big-assed women, who as we know, make the rocking world go round.

[grumbler]

not according to this: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pear%20shaped

What do you believe that links says that disagrees with what i said?

[grumbler]

gone pear shaped was a pretty common phrase around here back in the day.  I never understood it to be a reference to "tits".  "Tits up" was also a common phrase.  Pear shaped meant the plan had become misshapen.

So you are arguing that, in Canada, "tits up' and "pear shaped" were not synonyms?  And you guys actually used the phrase "the plan had become misshapen" before you adopted "pear shaped?"  Interesting.  I wonder why the OED thinks the phrase came from the RAF, and not from Canada.

[grumbler]

Yes, I thought pear shaped was just in reference to pears not being round.

Bananas are not round, either. 

[dps]

"Gone pear shaped" may be British in origin, but I've heard both it and "gone to pot" used, though I'd admit that "gone to pot" is much more common.  I'd say they have somewhat different meanings, though.  "Gone to pot" in, my experience, means "run down" or "dilapidated" whereas "gone pear shaped" is used to refer to a plan which has gone awry.  I don't think I've ever heard "tits up" used by an American.

[grumbler]

"Tits up" was used very extensively in the USN; "pear shaped' not at all.  I've never heard an American use the phrase "pear shaped" in this context.

[Warning:  NSFW language] Warren Zevon uses the more typical Americanisms:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ig-RShZ6m4

[Grey Fox]

To me it refers to big & wide ass & small boobs.

"pear shaped" does have that meaning when talking about people, usually women.

"going pear shaped" it a euphemism, primarily British, that things are going wrong.  It was nothing to do with big-assed women, who as we know, make the rocking world go round.

Brits. 

[Tonitrus]

All you bloody wankers are going round the twist again.

[Eddie Teach]

All you bloody wankers are going round the twist again.

You're not even there yet and you already sound like Mary Poppins. 

[celedhring]

Today's Catalonia's national day, and the separatist government has slated it as the beginning of another push for independence, trying to capture the anger for the upcoming trial against the separatists leaders involved in last year's UDI (the trial is slated for December-January).

As you well know, Catalonia is an oppressed country under Spanish occupation. And we denounce it through gigantic light and music shows paid for with tax money.

[Tamas]

Today's Catalonia's national day, and the separatist government has slated it as the beginning of another push for independence, trying to capture the anger for the upcoming trial against the separatists leaders involved in last year's UDI (the trial is slated for December-January).

As you well know, Catalonia is an oppressed country under Spanish occupation. And we denounce it through gigantic light and music shows paid for with tax money.

I have to say this whole Catalonia business is the weirdest and least convincing fight for independence I've ever heard about. Sure seems like nobody actually mean it.

[derspiess]

The flags look pretty at the rallies though.