Gussy Hardsocks

[Peyroulou]

My gran used to use this expression to indicate that someone (usually me!) was acting above their station. Does anyone have any idea as to it's origin. Google and Yahoo think I am referring to items on clothing worn on the feet...

Many thanks.
Peyroulou

[Quizmonster]

It sounds to me like a purely granny-created version of Pippi Longstocking! Certainly she could get a bit uppity with adults at times.

[Peyroulou]

Quizmonster, I think you could be right. I;ve never met anyone else who's heard of it...

[Quizmonster]

Well, it was the matching y/i sounds at the end of the first names and the adjective plus sock/stocking similarity in the second that convinced me.
Obviously, I have no idea how old you or your grandmother might be, but Pippi has been around since 1945. Your granny might have heard the name way back then but had only a vague recollection of what it was when she came to use it about you years later. Have a look at what Wikipedia has to say about Pippi and see whether she was justified!

[Peyroulou]

My gran was born in 1901 so just about pre-dates Pippi. I'll check out Wikipedia, thanks.