stick a fork in it
Who taught: Andrew
The other day, at the climbing wall, Andrew and I was working on one of the hardest ones. 🙂 When I almost got to the final piece of the climbing, he told me, “Stick a for in it!” I had to say, “What? what does it mean?” He told me this is something I can use when something is done or to be done. But then, I asked a question, “Why did you use it? Is it something related with cooking?” From that moment, many of my American friends over there started a discussion about its origin. “Is it because people used it when they check whether the potatoes are fully cooked or not.?” Then, I told my friends, “Yeah, that makes sense because you guys eat potatoes all the time, right?”
Then, there was also the other opinion, “No, maybe it is because we used to put fork into meat to check whether it is cooked properly or not.” Regarding that opinion, there was also a disagreement. “Aren’t we use like knife or something to check meat?” Well, we did not get the answer. But I am still curious. My guess is that it is because of potatoes. Do you have any thoughts on this?
I think there are so many expressions used by Americans without thinking about the origin or the reason. It totally makes sense because I would be the same if I speak Korean. I maybe the one who makes my friends think about those things because I ask bunch of questions, usually “why?” I feel like I am going through American childhood time.
Oh, funny thing is you can also use this expression for people, like “stick a fork in him!” But, I am confused about the meaning if I use the expression for people. Is it something I can use when someone fights against someone else and one person is winning and ready to hit the final punch, then we can use the expression?? Any good examples you have? Sigh… So hard. English is hard.
But if anything is easy, no fun of doing it! So I like learning English, especially from good friends. Thanks for bearing with me, my friends!
“Thanks for bearing with me, my friends!” — good usage of the expression “bear with me”! 🙂
I think the meaning of “stick a fork in it” is like this: when the food is done (doesn’t matter if it is meat or potatoes, but it is probably one of those two), it is ready to eat, so it is ready for you to stick your fork in it! you shouldn’t be wondering “is it done yet or not??” because I am telling you, dammit, it is ready! stick a fork in it!
another expression which has an unrelated meaning, but a similar rhythm is:
“put a sock in it!”
people are probably thinking that all the time when I am talking — all right, put a sock in it, Peter!
I like it! “Put a sock in it” I think this is a beauty of English. I guess here, “it” means “mouth”, right? Is this more polite than “shut up!”? What if I use like, “Would you please put two socks in your mouth?”
Hmm, I think both “shut up” and “put a sock in it” are equally impolite, but “put a sock in it” can be said more jokingly to your friends.
I don’t think you can put two socks in it 😛
You can, on the other hand, put your foot in your mouth – that means you’ve said something utterly stupid and embarrassing that you wish you could take back but can’t. Like if you asked a woman if she was pregnant and it turned out that she was just overweight – that would be putting your foot in your mouth.
Hmm. then how about “eat crow”? It sounds like “Put your foot in your mouth” is very similar with “eat crow” What do you think, Jean?
Interesting – I’d never considered that meaning of it. I think you’re actually right. You’re not *testing* the doneness, you’re declaring it done.
Well done, Pete!
Yeah, now I totally get the meaning. Andrew, our mystery is solved. Thanks, Pete!
Just for my reminder, Carol told me that she used “put s sock in it!” to Jake. What did you do, Jake? 😉
The full phrasing of is usually “Stick a fork in it; it’s done.” It can be shortened as you have above. But when using people as the subject, I’d suggest using the full version or people might think you’re advocating violence.
Of course, audience, situation and your tone of voice can make the meaning clear.
“Of course, audience, situation and your tone of voice can make the meaning clear.”
This part is always my homework to figure out.