"Had the radish" means someone is in deep trouble (e.g. a teenager who comes home a long time after his curfew and his mother finds out, has had the radish) or something is broken or worn beyond repair (That old clock has had the radish.) Â The closest connection I've found is a French expression, "n'avoir plus de radis." Â Literally, I don't have anything but a radish, i.e. I'm flat broke. Â Broke, broken, in trouble, related, but not exactly the same things.
Can anyone provide more than my (un-)educated guess? Â Thanks!Â
The online slang dictionary says "have the radish" means reach the end of useful life. No explanation.
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I've never heard theexpression before, but it "feels" like an old expression. Outright guesses: a radish is really cheap. It grows so quickly, you'd think it a weed. The word sounds a little like rubbish/refuse/rid-of.
vtscot said
The closest connection I've found is a French expression, "n'avoir plus de radis." Â Literally, I don't have anything but a radish, i.e. I'm flat broke. Â Broke, broken, in trouble, related, but not exactly the same things.
Can anyone provide more than my (un-)educated guess? Â Thanks!Â
Here is a guess: Since Maine and Vermont are just across the border from Quebec, a French connection is possible. If the expression is not more widely spread, that connection might be stronger yet.