Dawn in Evansville, Indiana, wonders why we dismiss something as nonsense by exclaiming Fiddlesticks! The term arose in the 17th century, most likely because the bow for a fiddle is light, thin, and insubstantial, or in other words, “practically worthless.” Its initial F sound helps make it a satisfying substitute for a curse word. The dismissive phrase not to care a fiddlestick’s end means “not to care at all.” This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Fiddlesticks”
Hello, you have A Way with Words.
Hi, my name is Dawn Davis from Evansville, Indiana.
Hi, Dawn. Welcome to the show.
Hey, Dawn.
Thank you.
What’s up?
Back in March, my son and I, my 16-year-old and I, went to get our vaccine, our COVID vaccine.
And one of the ladies, there was a guy and a girl, one of the ladies made a mistake.
And she said, oh, fiddlesticks.
And so her co-worker said, why do you always say that whenever you make a mistake?
She said, well, that’s the first thing that comes up, and I’ve always said it.
He said, where does it come from?
She said, I don’t know.
And so I said, that would be a great word for one of my favorite shows, Away With Words.
And she said, yes, absolutely.
Just let me know where it comes from and where it originated.
She said, I have no idea.
Oh, fantastic.
Well, fiddlesticks.
I can just see it.
Yep.
It’s a polite way of cursing, a polite swear, right?
Yes.
Yeah.
I appreciate it because my 16-year-old was there.
Well, that one is pretty straightforward, Dawn.
You can tell them that it just goes back to the 17th century, meaning nonsense.
And it just has to do with the bow on a fiddle.
You know, when you’re playing a fiddle and you have that really long, thin bow,
And it’s kind of insubstantial.
There was also the expression, a fiddle sticks end.
Like you might say, I don’t care, a fiddle sticks end,
Meaning that tip of the fiddle stick, the tip of the bow of the violin, which is really small.
So it’s very straightforward and it’s very handy, as you suggested.
And I think it’s also got some appeal because you’ve got that initial F sound that can release frustration,
But you also have the soft I’s in there, the I in fiddle and stick, fiddle sticks.
Yeah, it’s a satisfying word to shout.
That’s what she said.
She was just so happy.
She said, oh, fiddle sticks.
You know, just happy.
And, you know, she said, I don’t like using other words, but, you know, how to explain to my friend if you replace a curse word with another word.
Yeah, well, it’s a really good one for that because sometimes you need a replacement if you’re in a certain context, right?
Exactly.
So, Dawn, are you going to pick that up there in southern Indiana and start using that term?
I am, and I have.
And how about the 16-year-old?
Probably not.
He thinks it’s a little corny.
He thinks I’m corny, so he may not do that.
Give him a few years.
He’ll come to love all your corn, Ma.
He’ll come to think of everything you do as charming.
Just give him a few years.
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
Take care of yourself and be well, all right?
Yeah, thanks for sharing that story.
Bye-bye.
Thank you so much.
Thanks, Dawn.
Bye-bye.
Well, if you’re shouting something else besides fiddlesticks
That we can talk about on the air.
If there’s a little euphemism,
An unknown saying,
An expression that you blurt out
Anytime you’re frustrated,
Are very happy,
Well, let’s explore it.
Or we’ll dig down deep in email.
Words at waywordradio.org.
