I’ve been bald for so many years that my daughter was shocked to find in an old photo that I was towheaded as a kid. The second shock from the photo was that I was dragging a huge row sack and picking cotton. She never really understood me telling her I had grown up on a family farm/cattle ranch until then.
Wilberforce is channeling Ruthie from One Big Happy. But it does help illustrate how our idioms can be pretty random and hard for foreigners to learn. My wife taught ESL for years and she said newcomers to the US were more confused and amused by idioms than any other part of the English language. They always wanted to know how the terms or phrases evolved.
Have not heard word Towhead in many a year. And I would not say that Wilberforce hair qualifies. Bitterbean sounds like an odd ball name. What’s for dinner. Bitterbeans and Ham.Over and out.
At one time in my career, I taught sixth-graders. I learned to take everything they said with a grain of salt, especially when they were talking about their parents. I often wondered what twisted stories they told parents about things I said.
Definitely something she wouldn’t have said to Brutus no doubt. However, Mrs. Bitterbean must be 120 years old at least to have used that term. Your grammar school English teacher would be very proud of you for using that word…….
Ahuehuete 12 days ago
You made me look it up.
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member 12 days ago
I would have set Kewpie against Mrs. Bitterbean.
angelolady Premium Member 12 days ago
Mrs. Bitterbean LOL!!! Another great name.
[Traveler] Premium Member 12 days ago
One of those odd expressions. Anyone know the background/source?
Strawberry King 12 days ago
I heard Joey being called that on a Full House episode. He thought it was an insult, but Danny explained it’s means someone has really blonde hair.
Chris 11 days ago
well hope they don’t tow him away then… :J
Just-me 11 days ago
Wilberforce, listen to the song Hair by the Cowsills. There’s a place for everyone, including me who has no head hair.
DawnQuinn1 11 days ago
Us older folk already knew what a towhead was.
Zebrastripes 11 days ago
Oy! But it’s true some people need to stifle their comments. LOL
NRHAWK Premium Member 11 days ago
I’ve been bald for so many years that my daughter was shocked to find in an old photo that I was towheaded as a kid. The second shock from the photo was that I was dragging a huge row sack and picking cotton. She never really understood me telling her I had grown up on a family farm/cattle ranch until then.
Saddenedby Premium Member 11 days ago
my uncle always used to call me a “roundhead”. now that I am old I know what he meant.
pat sandy creator 11 days ago
tow be or not tow be…
Kimmies01 11 days ago
When my brother and me were from the ages of 2-7, were towheads. Then by the age of 8, it turned mousey brown.
Brent Rosenthal Premium Member 11 days ago
Wilberforce is channeling Ruthie from One Big Happy. But it does help illustrate how our idioms can be pretty random and hard for foreigners to learn. My wife taught ESL for years and she said newcomers to the US were more confused and amused by idioms than any other part of the English language. They always wanted to know how the terms or phrases evolved.
heathcliff2 11 days ago
What fantasy did she come from?
CorkLock 11 days ago
Have not heard word Towhead in many a year. And I would not say that Wilberforce hair qualifies. Bitterbean sounds like an odd ball name. What’s for dinner. Bitterbeans and Ham.Over and out.
Lola85 Premium Member 11 days ago
At one time in my career, I taught sixth-graders. I learned to take everything they said with a grain of salt, especially when they were talking about their parents. I often wondered what twisted stories they told parents about things I said.
Moonkey Premium Member 11 days ago
Kewpie!
Chris Sherlock 11 days ago
Mrs. Bitterbean. So, is she used in making coffee?
C wolfe 11 days ago
I was born blond but my hair was brown by the time I was three.
Medtech4 11 days ago
My mom used to use that term “toehead”. I knew it mean blond.
raybarb44 11 days ago
Definitely something she wouldn’t have said to Brutus no doubt. However, Mrs. Bitterbean must be 120 years old at least to have used that term. Your grammar school English teacher would be very proud of you for using that word…….
gopher gofer 11 days ago
hope that mrs bitterbean wasn’t implying that wilbur was ropy… ☺