Wouldn’t That Just Cork You?

Deb in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, says that when her mother was disappointed or annoyed she’d say Wouldn’t that just cork you? The idea here is that in the same way that a cork that stops up a bottle, an unexpected or irritating event metaphorically makes someone shut up. Similarly, the expression a real corker refers to something so exceptional it leaves people speechless. Deb’s mother also used to say You listen like a fish, particularly if she thought someone wasn’t listening. Perhaps they just sit there looking big-eyed, mouth agape, not doing much? This is part of a complete episode.