In my previous post I wrote about different ways to look at a commonly used expression. Another part of our book club conversation that day involved different expression.
A family member of one of our members lives in eastern Canada. In a conversation the family member said, “I can take care of that whipstitch,” meaning, “I can do that quickly.”
That was a new one for all of us.
A whipstitch is a simple sewing stitch used to join two pieces of fabric, knitting or crocheting together. It is the fastest way to complete that task, so the expression makes sense.
I found a different definition on Urban Dictionary. [CAUTION: Some definitions on Urban Dictionary may cause you to lose sleep, or at the very least say “Ew.”]
Their definition: “every chance you get,” as in, “my wife calling me at every whipstitch is getting very annoying.“
I hadn’t heard that one before either. I like it, even though I would have preferred a different sentence as a demonstration.
Something like, “Telemarketers calling at every whipstitch is getting very annoying.” There’s something we can all get on board with.
Do you have any local expressions to add to my list?
Somerton Smith 
Clever, Arlene! I’ve been whipstitching since I was a teenager, I just didn’t know what I was doing. Er, I didn’t know it had a precise name. The woman in the video is a pro, for sure. 😉
I agree. I did it for years without know it had a name. It’s the natural first step in accomplishing the sewing goal. Not necessarily pretty results, but effective – and fast.
Whipstitching may have a close cousin in the word “whipsmart”!
Hmmm … there’s another word to investigate. The expression “smart as a whip” could mean a couple of different things. Ah, words are interesting.
People born and raised around here [SW OH] say “please” when they mean “I didn’t hear what you said.” When I’d say “pardon.” They also say “please” in the way you’d expect, but when we first moved here we were confused by all this “pleasing” going on.
How lovely. That is a “pleas”-ant way to request a second hearing. So much better than, “What?!” There’s a lot of that here. I have only been to your state a couple of times, but I’ll be on the lookout for that on future visits!
I forwarded this article to my sister who uttered the highly controversial word “whipstitch” in the first place and she now feels smuggly vindicated. Then she had the temerity to say our mother used that word all the time and why didn’t I know it?
Ha ha. I guess we can say that you should have listened to your mother more?
I never heard that expression, but I like it. The problem is I can’t think of anything that I do in a whipstitch. My blog posts and the stories I write are more like sewing a button onto a coat, and I’m very very slow at that. 🙂
A little meditative focus is also good! Especially when there’s a muse involved. :}
I’ll bet there are foods that you make that you can do without looking at a recipe, or something similar.
Oh, yes, you’re right. I make those meals in a whipstitch!! 🙂
Nice blog