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Which English phrase is often mistakenly thought to derive from rhyming slang for a Hanna-Barbera character, but actually dates back to the 19th century and is of unknown origin?

Question #149914. Asked by gmackematix.
Last updated Oct 11 2023.
Originally posted Oct 07 2023 7:46 PM.

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pollucci19 star
Answer has 0 votes
pollucci19 star
18 year member
138 replies avatar

Answer has 0 votes.
"Don't have a scoobie" is rhyming slang for "Don't have a clue". It is believed to be of Scottish origin however, is often ascribed to the Hanna-Barbera character "Scoobie Doo".

Ironically, there is a 2006 episode of the cartoon titled "Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!"

link https://wordhistories.net/2020/02/15/not-have-scooby/
link https://www.scotslanguage.com/articles/view/id/4679
link https://scoobydoo.fandom.com/wiki/Shaggy_%26_Scooby-Doo_Get_a_Clue!

Oct 09 2023, 5:24 AM
gmackematix
Answer has 0 votes
gmackematix
21 year member
3206 replies

Answer has 0 votes.
Sadly this is not the answer I was looking for as I think not having a Scooby is a recent phrase not dating back to the 19th century.

Oct 09 2023, 11:11 PM
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pollucci19 star
Answer has 6 votes
Currently Best Answer
pollucci19 star
18 year member
138 replies avatar

Answer has 6 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
I will try again... this time

Barney Rubble is a Hanna Barbera product
link https://flintstones.fandom.com/wiki/Barney_Rubble

Barney Rubble is often used rhyming slang for trouble, though Wiktionary appears to indicate this is incorrect
link https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/barney

Though other sources would argue to the contrary
link https://www.kaplaninternational.com/blog/learning-languages/eng/top-10-must-know-cockney-rhyming-slang-phrases
and
link https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/language/11-bits-of-london-slang-you-should-know/

That said, Wiktionary does indicate that the term emanates from the 19th century and is of unknown origin. Barney, by itself, is slang for an argument or noisy dispute. This also seems to stem back to the 19th century and has an unknown origin.
link https://www.etymonline.com/word/barney


Response last updated by gtho4 on Oct 11 2023.
Oct 10 2023, 9:08 AM
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