# UK Dopers: What does this phrase derive from?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-does-this-phrase-derive-from/137156>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [November 17, 2002, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-does-this-phrase-derive-from/137156 "2002-11-17T11:20:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2002, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-does-this-phrase-derive-from/137156/21 "2002-11-19T02:09:00Z")

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It might have been a typo in the book. Maybe it was supposed to be “fears” or “years,” although neither of those makes any sense. Maybe “oars”? Those Brits love their boats, after all. Just WAGing. Actually, **WotNot** has the best idea I’ve heard here so far, especially since that would make the line a subtle insult, too: calling solicitors dogs.

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**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2002, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-does-this-phrase-derive-from/137156/22 "2002-11-19T02:36:37Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Miller \*  
> \*\*Actually, **WotNot** has the best idea I’ve heard here so far, especially since that would make the line a subtle insult, too: calling solicitors dogs. \*\*

Ahhhhhhhh! Well, maybe that’s what the guy’s dad meant. I’ll take it as such.

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