# If I said I was going to "pinch a loaf", would you know what I was talking about? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 19, 2013, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699 "2013-12-19T06:33:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/21 "2013-12-19T14:55:00Z")
I heard it from the same friend who taught me about “Beaching a steamer.” ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/22 "2013-12-19T15:20:43Z")
Similarly, on _Family Guy_ when Brian pees himself at the grocery store and Stewie says “Someone get Rover out of here before he decides to bend a fresh biscuit on the conveyer belt” - I was like “WTF?” and my friend had to explain what “bend a fresh biscuit” means. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/23 "2013-12-19T15:33:08Z")
Yes. It’s a term we used when we were kids, 30 or 40 years ago. My sister’s nickname for our dog was Ralphie Pinchaloaf. Don’t ask. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/24 "2013-12-19T17:17:30Z")
I may have heard it earlier, but I remember it only from _ **Family Feud** _. According to one etymology, the English word “shit” is cognate with the German _schnitt_, i.e., clip, cut, crop, snip (rough equivalents of “pinch”). ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/25 "2013-12-19T17:19:28Z")
_Lights a Match_ ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/26 "2013-12-19T18:05:44Z")
I guess we’re all threadshitting on this poll. ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/27 "2013-12-19T18:13:51Z")
The first time I heard this expression was on the Andy Dick show, when he was doing a parody of those Ghost hunters shows. He steps into a bathroom and screams, “OH MY GOD IT SMELLS LIKE THE DEVIL PINCHED A LOAF IN HERE!” :eek: I was able to connect the dots on the meaning. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/28 "2013-12-19T18:52:34Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/kvfM0rGcQ7g/hqdefault.jpg "Funny Video Beer Budweiser Commercial") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvfM0rGcQ7g) Safe for work. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/29 "2013-12-19T19:26:22Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > You mean “giving birth to a bosun’s mate”? You mean “a Marine”, of course. Dropping off the kids at the pool? ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/30 "2013-12-19T22:20:29Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > You mean “giving birth to a bosun’s mate”? I tend to use “Giving birth to a Carlton supporter” ---
**Author:** ![Gleena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/31 "2013-12-19T23:31:26Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > I tend to use “Giving birth to a Carlton supporter” HAHAHAHA I’m going to use that (somehow) on the sister in law that I wish would stop talking to me forever. Go 'Pies. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/32 "2013-12-19T23:40:05Z")
I understand the phrase, and would comment further, but I’ve got a turtle head poking cotton, and I must excuse myself. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/33 "2013-12-19T23:58:42Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > Why do they call it taking a dump? After all you aren’t taking it anywhere. “Taking a shit” and “giving a shit” are both wrong. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/34 "2013-12-20T00:01:48Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I understand the phrase, and would comment further, but I’ve got a turtle head poking cotton, and I must excuse myself. Brown bear is poking his nose out of the cave, or I’d comment too. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/35 "2013-12-20T00:10:29Z")
I feigned shock when a guy used it at work. He apologized profusely saying he assumed I wouldn’t know what he meant. I assured him I was not damaged by hearing it. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/36 "2013-12-20T02:23:16Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I learned the term from a Cheech and Chong album when I was a kid. [Here, starting at about 2:35.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTLiG8UJHA0) ---
**Author:** ![oz0ne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc348/32.png) [@oz0ne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oz0ne)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/37 "2013-12-20T03:08:42Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I understand the phrase, and would comment further, but I’ve got a turtle head poking cotton, and I must excuse myself. Same here. I’ve got one prarie-doggin’. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/38 "2013-12-20T03:22:57Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > “Taking a shit” and “giving a shit” are both wrong. Unless you collect shit. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/39 "2013-12-20T03:34:27Z")
It means blowing a snagger, naturally. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699/40 "2013-12-20T03:39:58Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Yes, but I’ve only seen it here on the boards. I’ve never heard anybody IRL use the term. > > Taking a dump, a crap, a shit…yep, common as. > > But pinching a loaf is quaintly SDMB IMHO. On the other hand you’re probably one of the only people here that would know what “crack a fat” means. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-said-i-was-going-to-pinch-a-loaf-would-you-know-what-i-was-talking-about/676699.md?page=3)