Holidays brought Aunt May
Mum’s younger sister.
Very loud, very forthright
Took over where ever she went
Our house was no different.
Tuesday after she arrives, Mum’s vacuuming
Bang, crash, scream – Mum!
What’s that god awful noise? Aunt May
The vacuum, I think it’s blown up.
Aunt May considers herself a handy girl
Has a look, shakes her head, scratches,
It’s sucked the grub Gert.
First time I heard that expression
Aunt May had that look of certainty about her.
You think?
‘Fraid so.
Aunt May had a wardrobe of these sayings
For such erudite company as this I shall stick with this one
As most of the others are not fit for this page.
For me it began a life long love of the saying.
Anything broken down, smashed, of no longer any use
It’s sucked the grub.
I usually have to explain, as it is confusing
I’ve no idea where Aunt May found it
Nor its original context, as Aunt May died
Well before I had the urge to ask her.
So it’s a saying we know it’s meaning but not its origin.
I love it, as it’s funny to say.
Try it, go one say it: ‘its sucked the grub!’
Aunt May was never pretentious
Very practical, very direct
You knew where you stood with her.
Most times when a saying came from her mouth
It came with an air authority.
It’s fun to drop into conversation, heads turn
There is a collective ‘What?’
I’ve not heard many others use it
Thankfully I consider it mine
My contribution to our bank of idiomatic sayings.
So next time in your world something breaks down,
You know what to say.
Written for: http://pookypoetry.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/poetry-prompt-confusing-figure-of-speech/
Morpethroad 
Australia does have some cracker-jack idioms and phrases. I love it 🙂
Thanks Charlie, it’s one I love.
Hah love it she sounds great and I love making up words x
Thank Justine, its a great expression, you are welcome to use it.
🙂
I hadn’t heard of it before, but I do love it..the sight of the vacuum made me shudder however 🙂
Oh yes very inconsiderate of me Jenny. Not many Vics have I’m afraid I think it is one known only up my way. Thanks for reading.
You’re forgiven, yes it’s one I shall use though 🙂
sucked a grub … I love that 😀 I will try to remember that one
Help yourself Al. Thanks for reading.
🙂
What a fabulous expression! I love it when we have little sayings that make us think of loved ones. When I finish the washing up and pour out the water and find the inevitable dirty spoon languishing at the bottom of the bowl I mutter ‘grandma moody!’ which i picked up from my own grandma who used to say it when I washed up with her as a small child in recollection of her own grandma moody who would get terribly upset (and live up to her surname!) when she came upon such a spoon 😉 x
Thanks Pooky. It’s a good one isn’t it. And like all good expressions it serves a purpose. You moody? Really? Lol…….well you are a woman living in the 21st century there’s plenty to be moody about.
tee hee! It was my grandmother’s grandmother’s maiden name. I can’t imagine what a burden it must have been!
I would love to know where your Aunt came up with such an expression. It’s a good one. I will have to remember it next time my vacuum blows up lol. Thanks for the smile today Michael.
You’re welcome Jackie use it at your leisure.
I not too good with idioms. I always mix up the english ones with french ones.
Hi Cher, that must lead to some interesting interactions.
My favorite chair/recliner sucked a grub this week. The whole left side detached.
Now – I have to settle for the couch.
Woe is me & woe is Fenway – as he owned it when I wasn’t on it.
See my saying is taking off RoSy, glad you have found a use for it and thanks for reading and your comment.