108 replies to this topic

[finGrabber]

still confused... i think it went WAY over my head!

About the bells?? Ever heard a bell choir? If enough of us come with bells, we can start our own. And after a few drinks, I bet it'll sound pretty darn good...at least to us!

Ali,

you've heard me sing after a few too many beers!! Hopefully, I'm better with bells

[finGrabber]

OK guys- I have been working on the event. I cannot officially post any info until tommorrow am. The owner is supposed to speak with me then regarding setting up some specials for us.
But, it will be at the Londoner on Aug. 10th. I will post all the deals, etc tommorrow after I speak with the owner.
Thanks guys,
Amber

SH,

you rock!!

[WreckWench]

Yea Amber...you do ROCK!!!

[scubahoney]

 
SH,

you rock!!

Edited by scubahoney, 29 July 2004 - 05:35 AM.

[Sophia]

still confused... i think it went WAY over my head!

kids these days! You have never heard of "I will be there with bells on" ?

I became curious about where that came from. So I went googling. This is what I found:


I recently replied to an invitation, stating that I would be there with bells on. After replying, I realized that I really did not have a clue what that means. Can you help me?

Your native-speaker intuition is certainly operating beautifully; you used the expression absolutely correctly and in absolutely the right circumstance, even if you didn't know what you were saying.

With bells on, in its most common current use, is an informal expression that means 'eagerly; ready to enjoy oneself', and your response was sure to please your host. There's the added connotation that you're not only looking forward to the occasion (usually some sort of party) but that you're all set to contribute to the festivities and add to everyone else's enjoyment. And "I'll be there..." is so often heard preceding the "bells" part that they're virtually inseparable. You did well.

The interesting thing about with bells on is that its use is amazingly restricted. With rare exceptions, it's a frozen, formulaic expression, part of a social ritual, used almost exclusively to respond to an invitation to a festive event. And part of its normal function is to assure your host that you not only plan to attend, but that you're sure it's going to be one swell party.

You've probably never heard anyone talk about "being there with bells on" when asked casually to go to a movie, for example. And I doubt that you'd respond to a letter of acceptance to graduate school at Harvard by saying you'll be there in September with bells on. It simply wouldn't do.

There are special variations, of course. F. Scott Fitzgerald left the final preposition off in his 1922 Beautiful & Damned, where we see, "All-ll-ll righty. I'll be there with bells." And there is an occasional use of with bells on as a more general intensifier, something to add a little punch. A 1930 cite says, "You can have it...with bells on," and one from 1960 reads (rather rudely, I think), "The same to you, with bells on." But mostly, it's party time.

As for origins, various sources postulate a rather vague association between bells and gala gatherings ("rings on her fingers and bells on her toes," and all that). I myself have always thought of the hat worn by the royal fool--the court jester's cap--with its little round, tinkling bells signaling merriment. So enjoy your party. Have fun. Make a fool of yourself.

Enid


Speaking of kids, I once called the 17 year old son of a friend a "Whipper-snapper". He didn't know what it meant. Made me fell really old, and I am only 34.

[jamesser]

Did anyone ever consider that I might have been refering to "body piercing"

That should be one to get it started this morning. See everyone on the 10th.

James

[mischievous]

i can't touch that one. i already censored myself before the thought even took definate shape.

[WreckWench]

i can't touch that one. i already censored myself before the thought even took definate shape.

Yes the whole idea of 'body bells' is more then the mind can handle...LOL!!! Question is does he have them or not????

[divecutie]

still confused... i think it went WAY over my head!

kids these days! You have never heard of "I will be there with bells on" ?

I became curious about where that came from. So I went googling.

Sophia, i have never heard that one before!! Now i am much more educated thanks to you!

[jamesser]

Do I have any or not???? HHHHHHHHuuuuummmmmmmmmm, I'm always honest but I'll never tell all my secrets, at least not all at once.

Since Wreck Wench and Finngrabber did offer to be a certian type of "inspector" I think they should line out any specifications needed to "measure" up.

I think maybe in this case "I ain't right"

James

[finGrabber]

Do I have any or not???? HHHHHHHHuuuuummmmmmmmmm, I'm always honest but I'll never tell all my secrets, at least not all at once.

Since Wreck Wench and Finngrabber did offer to be a certian type of "inspector" I think they should line out any specifications needed to "measure" up.

I think maybe in this case "I ain't right"

James

volunteering, are ya? we here at SD R&D are very serious about doing quality work!!!

[WreckWench]

volunteering, are ya? we here at SD R&D are very serious about doing quality work!!!

Yes that coming from our newly appointed 'head' of R&D....in fact weren't we talking about a new research project for 'diving cups'??? in order for crotch strap users to do giant stride entires???

[Sophia]

I was just reading about those. Part of the idea of little bells rather than little balls, is that a man can advertise his 'improvements' while walking.

[finGrabber]

volunteering, are ya?  we here at SD R&D are very serious about doing quality work!!!

Yes that coming from our newly appointed 'head' of R&D....in fact weren't we talking about a new research project for 'diving cups'??? in order for crotch strap users to do giant stride entires???

yup!! that's what I'm talkin' about!!

research, research, research is my new mantra

and WW, you're going to just have to help me!!

[WreckWench]

I was just reading about those. Part of the idea of little bells rather than little balls, is that a man can advertise his 'improvements' while walking.

Oooh girl...you should have been there...well um....maybe its just as well you weren't....I'm not sure the guys would have gotten out of there with all their ..er...improvements??? -ww