Stab the old bat with a knitting needle

[mnferreira]

Hello!
I heard on a TV show the following expression: "We´d better do this or she´ll be stabbing the old bat with a knitting needle". In the context, it means that she would go crazy if they didn´t do it. What I´d like to know is if this expression is usual in English or if it´s just something the script writter made up.
Thank you!

[DavyBCN]

Originally Posted by mnferreira

Hello!
I heard on a TV show the following expression: "We´d better do this or she´ll be stabbing the old bat with a knitting needle". In the context, it means that she would go crazy if they didn´t do it. What I´d like to know is if this expression is usual in English or if it´s just something the script writter made up.
Thank you!

It is quite common as an expression, if not used that often because it is pretty hard. Murdering old women isn't really considered a good way to get angry!!

[Vlad_the_Inhaler]

'Old bat' is a common, but quite mild, term of abuse for an unpleasant old woman.

[DavyBCN]

Originally Posted by Vlad_the_Inhaler

'Old bat' is a common, but quite mild, term of abuse for an unpleasant old woman.

Mild? I really think it is a terrible insult.

[Vlad_the_Inhaler]

Originally Posted by DavyBCN

Mild? I really think it is a terrible insult.

I think we can all think of many which are much worse, but I cannot immediately summon up a milder term of abuse.
But as with all insults, including profanity, the way we say them is more important than the actual words or phrases.

[mnferreira]

Thank you all for the help. So if I understand correctly, the expression means "to get angry" and an "old bat" is an annoying old woman, right? Well, in the context, there was an old lady involved; but can you use the expression in general, just simply to say you are angry?

[Vlad_the_Inhaler]

Originally Posted by mnferreira

Thank you all for the help. So if I understand correctly, the expression means "to get angry" and an "old bat" is an annoying old woman, right? Well, in the context, there was an old lady involved; but can you use the expression in general, just simply to say you are angry?

No, the expression actually means 'she'll be stabbing the unpleasant old woman with a knitting needle', but (we hope) it is an exaggeration.

[Saxonlight]

I agree with Vlad, it is a mild if not funny term used to discribe an old woman. Used far more in the U.K. than in the U.S.

Chris
http://www.hearseesay.com

[Ouisch]

Old bat, old battleaxe, old biddy, and old bag are all fairly insulting to the person to whom they're directed. (Spoken as one on the verge of old bat-hood herself.) But they're amusing to everyone else.

[MrPedantic]

Just to clarify: "old bat" is a set phrase, but "she'll be stabbing X with a knitting needle" is the scriptwriter's own hyperbole.

Have a cheery Friday,

MrP