In Australia and New Zealand, to get off your bike means to “lose your temper or become agitated”, and Don’t get off your bike is a way of saying “Calm down.” This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “In Australia and New Zealand, “Get Off Your Bike” Means “Lose Your Temper” or “Become Agitated””
There’s an old expression in Australia and New Zealand, and that’s to get off your bike.
And that means to lose your temper or become worked up.
So don’t get off your bike means to calm down or don’t fly off the handle.
And as I said, it’s an old expression.
I know we have a lot of listeners in those countries, and I would love to hear if Don’t Get Off Your Bike is still in use.
Here’s a wonderful example from 1924.
It ran in a newspaper in Melbourne.
It’s a joke.
It goes, Jones has bought a piano when Joe, his neighbor, calls out, Bet you won’t keep that long.
Next day, a van was at Jones’ house carrying out the piano when the neighbor called out, What did I tell you?
And Jones replies, don’t get off your bike.
I’m just going to my music lesson.
I love the idea that someone is carting a piano back and forth for their music lessons.
That’s so ridiculous.
We’d love to hear your local expressions and your silly anecdotes.
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