Swings and roundabouts

[Andy008]

What on earth does this phrase mean?

[Mrs_Pegasus]

Dare I say it but I use this expression quite a lot!

Its origin is obviously from the fairground.  Its basically saying that some days you dont make money on the roundabout but the chances are you will make it up on the swings because back then there were limited rides to be had and if they arent riding on the one they are on the other.

[nigidivitch]

So to clarify, they're pretty much the same thing and so let's bicker and argue about who killed who...

It's all six of one, half a dozen of the other to me!

[kempie]

The complete saying is self explanatory;

'What you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabouts'  (also gain... swings, lose... roundabouts).

Everything balances out in the end.

[Quizmonster]

The full saying is usually given nowadays as: "What you lose on the roundabouts you gain on the swings" or vice versa. This was a reference, in an old poem, to a showground-owner's claim.  In other words, on some days the kids would pay to pile onto the swings and provide his income, though the roundabouts were neglected. Obviously, it would be vice versa on other days.  Today, of course, it applies to any such 50/50 or up/down situation.
The poem �Roundabouts and Swings' is by Patrick Chalmers and here are the appropriate lines, after the poet asks the fairground-man what his work is like:

"Said he 'the job's the very spit of what it always were,
'It's bread and bacon mostly when the dog don't catch a hare,
'But looking at it broad, and while it ain't no merchant kings,
'What's lost upon the roundabouts, we pulls up on the swings."

[SAM HILL]

You guys have no idea do you?
Well, let me put this one to rest.
The saying goes "There is swings in roundabouts".
It relates to when you drive through a roundabout and you see a playground in the middle of it and think to yourself "there is swings in roundabouts".
It comes from a great philosopher from Colbinabbin.

[tiggsy]

Haha Sam, very funny!