Fatherly phrases

Southeast Missourians love their fathers and, more importantly, what their fathers always used to say. We asked people what line or saying or phrase was your father famous for? Here are a few we got:I've always loved my dad's definition of an "expert." X is the unknown factor, and a spurt is an overrated drip.

-- Brad Hollerbach, director of IT at Concord Publishing House and the Southeast Missourian.

"Lighter than a popcorn fart." As in, "Will you carry that box? Don't worry, it's lighter than a popcorn fart."

-- Robyn Gautschy, special publications writer

"I hope one day you have a son just like you." This was usually said in anger after I just smarted off or did something stupid.

-- Mark Kneer, circulation director

"You can't beat that with a stick." Or if my sister and I were arguing with each other on a family trip, he would say "if you don't stop, I'm going to turn this car around."

-- Melissa Weber, graphic designer

I fondly remember playing darts with my dad in the basement of our house growing up. My dad always was done playing before I was. Every time he would get done, he'd say "Time to go upstairs." Being an inquisitive child, I would always ask "Why?" Then, the seven words he would give me for an answer would come out of his mouth.

"'Cause I'm Dad, and I said so." There was no disputing the answer, but it became a frequently used phrase around my house growing up.

-- Justin Cain, SEMO Marketplace Customer Service Coordinator

My daddy used to always lecture me about my gas tank. He would say "Remember, 1/4 tank is you're empty, never go below that."

-- Julie Fisher, advertising

"Can't force it if it's not ready yet."

-- from Allison Dohogne's grandfather

Other good ones:

"Save your money -- you never know when an emergency might hit."

"Get a job!"

"Pay me back!"

"Money doesn't grow on trees."

"You Goober!"

-- Megan Myers

"Who do you think I am?"

-- Sue Crader

"Brunk!"

-- Calvin Brunkhorst

"I love you."

-- Addie Brunkhorst

When we were little, after we went to be, we would hear my mother and father say the Lord's prayer. That is what we live by.

-- Gene Brunkhorst

"Life is like a card game... you make the best of the hand you're dealt."

-- Sally Porch

When I asked if I could do a task, he said "I don't know whether we can, but we have to."

-- Dean Whitlow

"Would you jump off a cliff if your friends did?"

-- Leslie Hughey

"I'll give you a dollar for an A."

-- Sarah Barker

"Were you raised in a barn?"

-- Hannah Barker

"He calls me Peanuthead."

-- MacKenzie

Work hard, play hard.

-- Sean