Old sayings are like forgotten treasures—tucked away in dusty corners of language, waiting to be dusted off and laughed at. Strange but funny old sayings people forgot are more than quirky wordplay; they’re time capsules of humor, regional culture, and down-home wisdom. Today, many of these gems have faded from everyday use, but their unique phrasing and timeless wit still deserve the spotlight.
This post dives deep into the hilarious world of forgotten idioms and expressions, exploring why they made people chuckle, how they came to be, and how you can use them today to spice up your language. Let’s jump right into a world where cats dance on hot tin roofs and biscuits attract everything.
In This Article
What Makes a Saying ‘Strange but Funny’?
Not all sayings are created equal. Some are poetic. Others are wise. But the strange ones—the ones that really stick—combine odd imagery, regional flair, and unexpected humor. That’s what makes them so funny, even decades later.
Key Traits of Strange but Funny Old Sayings People Forgot
| Trait | Description |
| Absurd Imagery | Evokes ridiculous mental pictures (e.g. “slower than molasses in January”) |
| Outdated References | Mentions old professions, tools, or rural life |
| Regional Slang | Often tied to the American South, Midwest, or UK |
| Mild Sarcasm | Playfully critical, never mean-spirited |
| Rhythmic Sound | Easy to remember due to rhyme or meter |
Examples of Peculiar Yet Funny Sayings:
- “Don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining.”
- “Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
- “Slicker than snot on a doorknob.”
These are the types of phrases that spark curiosity and conversation. They’re humorous not just because of what they say—but how they say it.
🗣️ “Old sayings are like grandpa’s jokes—you don’t always understand them, but you can’t help but laugh.” – Anonymous
Animal-Based Strange but Funny Old Sayings People Forgot
Animals have long been used as symbols in everyday language, but when combined with bizarre scenarios, they create truly unforgettable expressions. Many of the strange but funny old sayings people forgot are tied to the animal kingdom—sometimes flattering, but more often hilarious.
Why Animals?
- Universality: Everyone understands animal behavior.
- Vivid Metaphors: Easy to exaggerate.
- Cultural Roots: Farmers and rural folks shaped much of the old idiomatic language.
Funny Animal-Inspired Sayings:
| Saying | Meaning |
| “Busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest.” | Extremely busy |
| “Slicker than snot on a doorknob.” | Very slippery |
| “Scarce as hen’s teeth.” | Extremely rare |
| “Like herding cats.” | Impossible to control |
| “Grinning like a possum eating a sweet potato.” | Smiling foolishly |
| “As nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.” | Very anxious |
| “Uglier than a mud fence.” | Not attractive |
| “Like a dog trying to pass a peach pit.” | Struggling |
| “As happy as a tick on a fat dog.” | Very content |
| “Dumb as a box of frogs.” | Really silly |
🐸 Fun Fact: “Mad as a box of frogs” is still used in the UK, but many Americans have never heard of it.
Case Study: “Scarce as Hen’s Teeth”
- Origin: Hens don’t have teeth—hence, this means something is nearly impossible to find.
- Modern Use: Could be used when talking about rare sneakers or collectibles.
- SEO Tip: Phrases like this can be natural LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords in blog posts about rarity.
These strange sayings deliver more than laughs—they paint vivid pictures, making them ideal for storytelling and social content.
Weather-Related Sayings with a Strange but Funny Twist
Weather has always inspired colorful language, especially in rural communities where the sky often dictated daily life. Strange but funny old sayings people forgot often use wild weather metaphors to describe everything from mood to chaos.
Why Weather Sayings Stuck Around
- Weather was universal and relatable
- Rural humor often leaned on exaggeration
- Easy to visualize and repeat
Funny Weather-Related Sayings:
| Saying | Meaning |
| “Colder than a well digger’s backside.” | Extremely cold |
| “Hotter than a billy goat in a pepper patch.” | Uncomfortably hot |
| “Raining like a cow peeing on a flat rock.” | Heavy rain |
| “Dry as a popcorn fart.” | Very dry |
| “Windier than a politician on payday.” | Very windy or talkative |
| “Sweatin’ like a sinner in church.” | Nervous or hot |
| “Colder than a witch’s heart.” | Bitterly cold or emotionally distant |
| “It’s so humid, fish are swimming in the air.” | Extremely humid |
| “Hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk.” | Blazing hot |
| “Cold as a banker’s handshake.” | Emotionless or unwelcoming |
🌧️ “Good sayings are like weather—you don’t always see them coming, but they make a lasting impression.”
These expressions might sound strange, but they were widely understood across the U.S., especially in Southern and Midwestern regions.
Food-Inspired Strange but Funny Old Sayings People Forgot
Food is life—and apparently, also language. Many of the strange but funny old sayings people forgot use food to describe feelings, people, or absurd situations. They’re flavorful, vivid, and sometimes downright weird.
Why Food Made It into Sayings
- Everyone eats, so it’s relatable
- Food metaphors are funny and visual
- Many sayings came from farming or kitchen culture
Tasty Old Sayings That’ll Crack You Up:
| Saying | Meaning |
| “Useless as a screen door on a submarine.” | Completely ineffective |
| “Full as a tick on a fat dog.” | Extremely full |
| “Grinning like a mule eating briars.” | Awkwardly smiling |
| “Tighter than the lid on a pickle jar.” | Cheap or stingy |
| “As confused as a goat on astroturf.” | Mentally lost |
| “Slicker than buttered okra.” | Very slippery |
| “That’s about as useful as teats on a bull.” | Worthless |
| “Nutty as a fruitcake.” | Crazy or eccentric |
| “Sour as a green apple.” | Bad-tempered |
| “Like gravy on biscuits—it just makes sense.” | Perfect pairing |
🍽️ “Food sayings give your stories flavor—just like a good Southern breakfast.”
Many of these expressions came from the American South, where food and humor often go hand in hand.
Sayings from the American South and Appalachian Humor
Some of the strangest but funniest sayings trace their roots to Appalachia and the Deep South. Known for their dry wit and colorful language, folks in these regions invented sayings that sound downright strange to outsiders but hit home to locals.
Cultural Influence Behind the Sayings
- Oral storytelling traditions were strong
- Frontier survival shaped clever speech
- Many sayings originated before TV and the internet
Down-Home Sayings People Rarely Hear Anymore:
| Saying | Meaning |
| “That dog won’t hunt.” | It won’t work / won’t succeed |
| “Too poor to paint and too proud to whitewash.” | Stubborn and broke |
| “You couldn’t pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel.” | Not very smart |
| “He’s all hat and no cattle.” | All talk, no substance |
| “Tougher than a two-dollar steak.” | Very tough or strong |
| “He’d complain with a ham under each arm.” | Always finds something to whine about |
| “Fixin’ to get ready to go.” | About to start doing something |
| “Cuter than a bug’s ear.” | Very cute |
| “Busier than a moth in a mitten.” | Hyperactive or overwhelmed |
| “He’s so lazy, he married a rich woman just to get out of working.” | Extremely lazy |
🎙️ “Southern sayings are like good BBQ—slow-cooked, full of character, and a little messy.”
These strange but funny old sayings reflect a time when communication was more about charm and less about speed. In a world now dominated by emojis and abbreviations, these quirky phrases bring personality back to speech.
Bizarre Sayings About People’s Intelligence (or Lack Thereof)
Intelligence—real or imagined—has always been a ripe subject for humor. Many strange but funny old sayings people forgot take a creative jab at someone’s mental sharpness using wild metaphors that are more hilarious than harsh.
These expressions are often playful rather than insulting. Their charm lies in exaggeration and creativity, not cruelty.
Classic Brainpower (or Lack Thereof) Sayings:
| Saying | Meaning |
| “Not the sharpest knife in the drawer.” | A bit slow mentally |
| “A few fries short of a Happy Meal.” | Lacking intelligence |
| “Dumber than a sack of hammers.” | Extremely unintelligent |
| “Elevator doesn’t go to the top floor.” | Not all there mentally |
| “Lights are on, but nobody’s home.” | Appears alert, but isn’t |
| “Couldn’t find his way out of a wet paper bag.” | Helpless or confused |
| “He’s a few peas short of a casserole.” | A little odd |
| “As smart as bait.” | Not smart at all |
| “Got a mind like a steel trap—rusty and illegal in 37 states.” | Sarcastically unintelligent |
| “Thinks the moon is made of cheese.” | Believes silly things |
🧠 “If wit were measured in teaspoons, some folks would need a thimble.”
Semantic Insight:
These sayings often use common objects—knives, elevators, lightbulbs—to highlight a lack of function or purpose, which makes them universally understood and endlessly funny.
Romance, Relationships, and Strange but Funny Old Sayings
Love can be confusing, hilarious, and downright weird—and so are the sayings people used to describe it. Some strange but funny old sayings people forgot tap into the chaos of attraction, awkward dates, and stubborn partners with brilliant wordplay.
Love-Related Sayings That’ll Leave You Laughing:
| Saying | Meaning |
| “She’s stuck on him like hair on a biscuit.” | Hopelessly infatuated |
| “He’s got more moves than a bowl of Jell-O.” | Flirty or slick |
| “She’s nuttier than squirrel poop.” | Lovably strange |
| “They go together like socks and sandals.” | Awkward pairing |
| “He’s as handy as a back pocket on a shirt.” | Totally useless |
| “He’s been rode hard and put up wet.” | Worn out or heartbroken |
| “She’s got a few bees in her bonnet.” | Obsessive or overthinking |
| “He’s got the personality of a damp dishrag.” | Boring or lifeless |
| “That’s a face only a mother could love.” | Not very attractive |
| “Flirting like a fox in a henhouse.” | Bold and smooth |
💘 “Love makes fools of us all—and old sayings make sure we never forget it.”
Cultural Relevance:
These phrases often came from eras where dating norms were very different—but the emotional chaos? Still completely relatable.
Insults Disguised as Compliments in Forgotten Old Sayings
Some of the strange but funny old sayings people forgot are sweetly savage. They sound like compliments until you pause to decode the real meaning. This Southern-style sarcasm blends charm and cheek in the most unexpected ways.
Backhanded Compliments from Back in the Day:
| Saying | What It Really Means |
| “Bless your heart.” | You poor fool. |
| “She’s got a good personality.” | Not physically attractive. |
| “He means well.” | He’s clueless but harmless. |
| “That’s different.” | That’s weird. |
| “He’s special.” | Not in a good way. |
| “She’s quite a character.” | She’s strange. |
| “He’s not ugly, but he ain’t pretty either.” | Neutral at best. |
| “He’s doing the best he can.” | He’s failing, but we’re being nice. |
| “She’s got a face for radio.” | Attractive voice, not face. |
| “He tries real hard.” | It’s not working out. |
😏 *“In the South, you can say anything—as long as you follow it with ‘bless their heart.’”
Linguistic Twist:
These sayings rely on tone and timing. Said with the right smile, they can charm. Said the wrong way? You’re in trouble.
Sayings About Laziness and Work Ethic That’ll Make You Laugh
There’s no shortage of wit when it comes to calling someone lazy without saying the word directly. Many strange but funny old sayings people forgot take aim at work ethic—or the lack of it—with brilliant phrasing that’s impossible to ignore.
Hilariously Honest Sayings About Laziness:
| Saying | Meaning |
| “He’s as slow as molasses in January.” | Very slow-moving |
| “Wouldn’t work in a pie factory tasting pies.” | Extremely lazy |
| “Lazier than a hound dog on a hot summer day.” | No motivation |
| “Too lazy to scratch an itch.” | Couldn’t be bothered |
| “He rests while he works.” | Doesn’t really try |
| “Got tired just thinking about work.” | No energy for anything |
| “He’d hire someone to chew his food if he could.” | Excessively lazy |
| “She moves like pond water in the winter.” | Slow and inactive |
| “Wouldn’t hit a lick at a snake.” | Useless even in danger |
| “So lazy, he has a snooze button on his alarm clock for naps.” | Deep-level procrastination |
🛋️ “Work smarter, not harder? Some folks skipped both.”
These expressions were often used in family and community banter—funny but not mean, poking fun in a memorable way.
Money and Poverty in Strange but Funny Old Sayings People Forgot
Old sayings about money often reflect hard times, frugality, or just plain stinginess. And some are so bizarre they’ll have you laughing even if your wallet’s a little light.
Financially Funny Forgotten Sayings:
| Saying | Meaning |
| “Tighter than bark on a tree.” | Very cheap |
| “Didn’t have two nickels to rub together.” | Completely broke |
| “Richer than three feet up a bull’s behind in fly season.” | Sarcastic richness |
| “So broke he can’t even pay attention.” | No money at all |
| “Living on a shoestring budget.” | Extremely frugal |
| “He counts every penny twice.” | Super cheap |
| “Holds onto a dollar like it’s a live grenade.” | Afraid to spend |
| “Tighter than a duck’s butt in water.” | Watertight—cheap or efficient |
| “Poor as a church mouse.” | Desperately poor |
| “He’s so tight, he squeaks when he walks.” | Incredibly frugal |
💵 “Being broke isn’t funny—but the ways people talked about it sure were.”
These sayings came from eras where thrift wasn’t optional—it was survival.
Old-Timey Sayings About Luck (Good and Bad)
Luck, fate, and fortune—people have always talked about them, and not always kindly. Many strange but funny old sayings people forgot touch on the absurdity of chance with vivid and exaggerated comparisons.
Fortune-Fueled Sayings Worth Repeating:
| Saying | Meaning |
| “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” | Always unlucky |
| “Luckier than a two-tailed dog at a fire hydrant convention.” | Exceptionally lucky |
| “Born under a bad sign with a black cat for a midwife.” | Cursed from birth |
| “As lucky as a leprechaun on payday.” | Fantastically fortunate |
| “Unlucky as a horseshoe with a hole in it.” | Pointless luck |
| “He couldn’t win a rigged game of solitaire.” | Always loses |
| “About as lucky as a snowman in July.” | Doomed |
| “Fortunate as a squirrel in a peanut factory.” | Extremely fortunate |
| “Like finding a needle in a haystack made of magnets.” | Impossibly unlucky |
| “Luck followed him around like a shadow in the dark—never there.” | Nonexistent fortune |
🍀 “Luck isn’t about what happens—it’s about how you laugh when it does.”
Old-timers understood that if you can’t win, at least be funny about it.
Sayings Involving Strange Behavior or Habits
Quirky people deserve equally quirky sayings. These expressions capture eccentricity, silliness, and downright confusing behavior in unforgettable language.
Odd Behavior Described the Old-Fashioned Funny Way:
| Saying | Meaning |
| “Crazier than a soup sandwich.” | Completely unpredictable |
| “Acts like he was raised in a barn.” | Lacks manners |
| “Talks faster than a squirrel on espresso.” | Extremely fast talker |
| “She’s riding the crazy train and forgot to get off.” | Acting wild |
| “He’s got bats in the belfry.” | Mentally unhinged |
| “As jumpy as a frog on hot pavement.” | Nervous or fidgety |
| “Wound tighter than a banjo string.” | High-strung |
| “She’s two pickles short of a jar.” | A little off mentally |
| “Stranger than a three-legged chicken.” | Weird in every way |
| “Walks like he’s trying to sneak up on a nap.” | Oddly slow or quiet |
🤪 “The more colorful the behavior, the more colorful the sayings.”
These sayings live on in small towns, front porches, and family gatherings, where oddballs are part of the family charm.
Rare Sayings from Overseas That Sound Extra Strange in English
It’s not just Americans who love strange expressions. Around the world, people have created sayings that sound utterly ridiculous when translated but are packed with meaning and humor.
International Oddball Sayings You Might Never Have Heard:
| Saying | Origin | Meaning |
| “Mad as a box of frogs.” | UK | Wild or eccentric |
| “Flat out like a lizard drinking.” | Australia | Working very hard |
| “All hat and no cattle.” | USA (Southwest) | All talk, no action |
| “He’s got kangaroos loose in the top paddock.” | Australia | A bit crazy |
| “Away with the fairies.” | Ireland | Daydreaming or not present |
| “She’s a few sarnies short of a picnic.” | UK | A little dim |
| “Faster than greased lightning.” | UK/USA | Extremely fast |
| “As useful as a chocolate teapot.” | UK | Completely useless |
| “Bent as a nine-bob note.” | UK | Dishonest or suspicious |
| “Not the full quid.” | Australia | Not entirely sane |
🌍 “Language is the mirror of culture—and humor is the funny face it makes.”
These global gems remind us that wit knows no borders.
Why We Should Keep Strange but Funny Old Sayings Alive
Language changes, but humor shouldn’t be lost in translation. These sayings carry more than comedy—they hold cultural value, generational memory, and local identity.
Why Old Sayings Still Matter Today:
- ✅ They make language richer and more colorful
- ✅ They reflect regional charm and personality
- ✅ They keep history, humor, and heritage alive
- ✅ They’re perfect for storytellers, writers, and social content
- ✅ They bring people together through laughter
💬 “Sayings are stories in shorthand—carry them forward, and you carry the voice of generations.”
With a passion for clear communication and a history as a private tutor, Virna founded learnconversations.com to make expert advice accessible to all. She excels at transforming complex conversational theories into simple, actionable articles, establishing her as a go-to resource for anyone looking to connect and communicate more effectively.