Railroad Terms Used in Common Speech

ezdays

Out AZ way
Here's one I'm not sure if it's origin is from railroading but it sounds like it could be, "boilerplate". As in, "the first two pages of this proposal are nothing but boilerplate"
 

ezdays

Out AZ way
There's one really, really very common expression that I really, really surprised not to see here:eek:.... So common, I just heard someone use it a little bit ago on a TV program.:cool:

Anyone what to take a shot at it????:wave:
 

MasonJar

It's not rocket surgery
Oh, alright, in some convoluted way, it could have something to do with business....

"Caboose" referring to rear end. Used in a business setting, you might find yourself out of business...? ;)

Andrew
 

ezdays

Out AZ way
"Caboose" referring to rear end. Used in a business setting, you might find yourself out of business...? ;)

Andrew
Nope, I said "convoluted", not "complicated":cry:. It's very simple, and expression that you routinely hear about the way that some people do some things... Oh, oh, I'm giving it away, little by little..:eek:
 

MasonJar

It's not rocket surgery
Do things... "by the book"? I suppose that could be used in business (and probably is), but I doubt that the railroad had exclusive use of this expression.

:confused:

Andrew
 

tetters

Rail Spiking Fool!
Nope, I said "convoluted", not "complicated":cry:. It's very simple, and expression that you routinely hear about the way that some people do some things... Oh, oh, I'm giving it away, little by little..:eek:


Half Fast?
Slip Shod?


I dunno.
 

iis612

Member
Does the expression , "pull the pin" as related to "retiring" have anything to do with uncoupling a freight car?
Ralph
That has more to do with grenades, or smoke decoys, I think. As in, "let's pop smoke," or "Let's blow this pop stand."
 

ezdays

Out AZ way
All good answers, but not the one I'm thinking of. It has something to do with someone not agreeing with how you do business. That again is kind of convoluted, but if I used one, just one key word, you'd all know what the rest of the phrase was.wall1 wall1

I'll post that key word before 11 PM tonight, EST....:cool:
 
Top