# Pieces Parts. What does it mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 13, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pieces-parts-what-does-it-mean/459849 "2008-08-13T15:11:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pieces-parts-what-does-it-mean/459849/21 "2008-08-13T21:46:35Z")
I encounter this reasonably often at work (technical documentation), usually in the context of what needs to be done for a project. “It’s mostly ready, but there are still a few pieces parts to finish up.” It’s basically the difference between ‘pieces’ and ‘little (insignificant) pieces’. ---
**Author:** ![tbdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@tbdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tbdi)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pieces-parts-what-does-it-mean/459849/22 "2008-08-13T21:52:00Z")
[QUOTE=brewha] Yeah, you could say that. Or you could say: “I finished replacing the starter motor in my car and now have some parts left over” or “I finished replacing the starter motor in my car and now have some pieces left over” And your point would be conveyed just as well. [/QUOTE] The main point would be, yes. The phrase “piece’s parts” extends the image by including the idea that they’re a bunch of little bits of things that you aren’t quite sure what they are but you know they belong in there on something. It’s a more colorful way of expressing the main idea with a bit of self-deprecating humor at the situation. I’d certainly never use the phrase in formal speech or writing but it’s useful in casual speech. ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2008, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pieces-parts-what-does-it-mean/459849/23 "2008-08-13T22:00:50Z")
I should have been more specific. This phrase is being used in a formal manner - during meetings and I’ve overheard it used over the phone to customers. **awldune** that’s the exact type of thing I hear at work. And I don’t understand why a simple: “It’s mostly ready, but there are still a few parts to finish up.” Wouldn’t work as well without the danger of pissing me off. (not that there’s any real danger - I’ve got no authority here). I know it’s being used. And, I’m under the impression that it’s a phrase that was simply overheard and now we’ve got idiots running around using the phrase without a clue of why they are using it. I don’t have a clue why it would be used, but at least I’m not using it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2008, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pieces-parts-what-does-it-mean/459849/24 "2008-08-13T23:34:58Z")
[QUOTE=brewha] I should have been more specific. This phrase is being used in a formal manner - during meetings and I’ve overheard it used over the phone to customers. **awldune** that’s the exact type of thing I hear at work. And I don’t understand why a simple: “It’s mostly ready, but there are still a few parts to finish up.” Wouldn’t work as well without the danger of pissing me off. (not that there’s any real danger - I’ve got no authority here). I know it’s being used. And, I’m under the impression that it’s a phrase that was simply overheard and now we’ve got idiots running around using the phrase without a clue of why they are using it. I don’t have a clue why it would be used, but at least I’m not using it anyway. [/QUOTE] You you have a work buddy who you can ask? Since it’s happening at work, it might be something worth knowing about. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pieces-parts-what-does-it-mean/459849/25 "2008-08-14T00:26:05Z")
[QUOTE=brewha] No, **we all** don’t. I almost punched out my computer screen after reading your sentence :mad: [sup]\*[/sup] Don’t even get me started on “It is what it is”. I’d wager that there does not exist a more widely used yet completely fucking worthless statememt. \ [sup]\*[/sup]Don’t worry, I got your intent. 😃 That’s just the kind of crap that just grates on my brain. [/QUOTE] Hey, me too. I feel you pain brother. (Or sister?) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pieces-parts-what-does-it-mean/459849.md?page=1)