[Duff in VT]

Over Thanksgiving we were discussing old sayings and this one came up. Apparently it is an original Vermont saying and it means worn out, as in the old lawn mower has "had the radish". But we don't really know what "having a radish" has to do with being used up. Does anyone know? We have also heard "had the mustard" used in the same way.

[Greenteam]

Not too sure about your radish question but I think it's "Cut the mustard".

[GypsySoul22]

In England they say 'give up the ghost.'
I never heard the radish one!

[Summerz]

Dog barking at nothing..**Flea up a tree????

[Duff in VT]

Originally Posted by Greenteam

Not too sure about your radish question but I think it's "Cut the mustard".

Yup, I know "Cut the Mustard" .. as in something that does not quite do the job.

Both "Had the Radish" and "Had the Mustard" are very local sayings, from the Danby/Tinmouth area and, from my research, other pockets of New England (perhaps carried there by Vermont residents who moved on). The local builders and farmers are colorful characters who may very well have come up with these sayings in reference to some (most likely unfortunate) event that happened to a neighbor or other townsperson. I know mustard is used to make you throw up. My mother saved a child's life by giving him mustard when he took a bottle of his grandfather's prescription medicine.

[harry chickpea]

Used it all the time, growing up. Never much thought about it. Just guessing, radish is pretty pungent, and would have been used medicinally... checking... yep.

Horse Radish/Armoracia rusticana:
Danish name Peberrod (1300: Pippærrot) was in DK known
from the 1300s in folk-medicine. It was said to counteract poison;
it was good to eat in March in order to clean and dry 'evil blood',
which came from the winter's cold; and crushed with poisoned
rye grass and salt it was used as a compress on cancer wounds
and leprosy.

Re: Anglo-Saxon Plant-Name Survey

A person or animal that "had the radish" as a final unsuccessful attempt at a cure would be pretty worn out and used up. Not quite "at death's door" but not very useful.

[Duff in VT]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Used it all the time, growing up. Never much thought about it. Just guessing, radish is pretty pungent, and would have been used medicinally... checking... yep.

Horse Radish/Armoracia rusticana:
Danish name Peberrod (1300: Pippærrot) was in DK known
from the 1300s in folk-medicine. It was said to counteract poison;
it was good to eat in March in order to clean and dry 'evil blood',
which came from the winter's cold; and crushed with poisoned
rye grass and salt it was used as a compress on cancer wounds
and leprosy.

Re: Anglo-Saxon Plant-Name Survey

A person or animal that "had the radish" as a final unsuccessful attempt at a cure would be pretty worn out and used up. Not quite "at death's door" but not very useful.

That makes a lot of sense to me. Thanks !

[billyinvt]

I have always used the phrase to indicate I was all done or useless at the end of the day, night, or meeting. Coincidentally, I am also in Vermont.

[kpinvt]

This made me wonder about other sayings...

My dad used to say, "Hold her Newt! She's headed for the rhubarb!"

[harry chickpea]

Rhubarb is poisonous. Only the stalks are used, and those are cooked. Probably means something like "She's going to kill herself in her innocence/stupidity if someone doesn't stop her."