Two black guys go to Ohio State University in 1933. White dudes lock horns with them. One black guy asks another what are they supposed to do, if not kicking their ass. There is the answer: "You just smile and play nice. Run every last one of these peckerwoods off their feet." I'm not sure what does the lat line mean.
asked Jul 28, 2016 at 14:58
-
Peckerwoods or woodpeckers?– MithicalCommented Jul 28, 2016 at 15:14
-
It's official subs, so it's peckerwoods. Anyway I don't understand exactly "run off their feet" part.– Dmitriy EsarevCommented Jul 28, 2016 at 15:16
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
To run someone off their feet means, usually, to make someone work very hard. Peckerwoods is southern (US) slang for redneck or poor white person. Two examples I have made up:
- My boss was in a really bad mood today and ran us off our feet.
- I've had so much to do today and my kids have really run me off my feet.
-
Yes, I found this defenition, but it makes a little sense to me in this context. Thanks anyway Commented Jul 28, 2016 at 15:57
-
2I imagine this story involves Jesse Owens, who matriculated at OSU in 1933, or his teammates on the OSU track team. If that's the case, "run" would have a literal sense, too: the speaker advises his friend to exhaust their white competitors by outperforming them in speed and endurance. Commented Jul 28, 2016 at 16:33
-
Yes, that's the story. It confused me because Jesse and his fried were actually runners. Thanks a lot Commented Jul 28, 2016 at 16:39
-
As a speaker of US English, I have never heard it used to mean "make someone work very hard"; that appears to be mainly a British expression. Given that the speakers were all American, I think a more literal interpretation is in order.– stangdonCommented Jul 28, 2016 at 17:27
-
I was run off my feet [at work. by the kids.by the dog] etc. etc. is not a BrE expression. If the people were runners, then, it's funny and just means to run a whole lot (to use an AmE expression).– LambieCommented Jul 28, 2016 at 19:08