three bags full, sir
/ˌθɹi bæɡz ˈfʊl ˌsɝ/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.30 in modern English
25
Scrabble Score
16
Letters
4
Syllables
12
Unique Chars
Meaning
phrase
Intensifies a statement of agreement, indicating that the speaker is craven or obsequious.
Example Sentences
- "Because, if he speaks his truth, he may no longer have a job and so, instead of living his truth, he says: “Yes, Sir; of course, sir. Three bags full, Sir.” He gives his power away."
- "Some managers took 50% of the income, some even paid the artist nothing but a weekly salary, and still the majority of those artists said, yes sir, no sir and three bags full sir. To a great degree, Epstein changed all of that ..."
- "Get forensic on to it right away.' 'Yes, sir,' Hatchley said through clenched teeth as he left. Banks could almost hear the 'three bags full, sir'"
- "‘Two coffees,’ he told the girl politely, adding, ‘And some of these cake things I saw in the kitchen.’ / ‘Treacle oaties, Sir,’ the young girl said, bobbing. ‘Yes, thank you, Sir.’ / Harry caught Anna’s frown, but she waited until the door closed before venting her disapproval. / ‘Yes, Sir, no, Sir, three bags full, Sir. How ghastly! And the starched pinny, and the lace cap!’"
- "“[…] Oh and when she’s nice and settled, then you can roll out the jenny again, OK?” / “Yessir. Three bags full, Sir. And while I’m doing all that?”"
- "“You know, Sergeant, you are not seeing the big picture. This is a real opportunity to enhance your resume with this type of field research.” / “Like I said, Sir,” I stopped walking and turned to face Mr. Douglas and continued, “three bags full, Sir.”"
Etymology
Referencing the nursery rhyme Baa, Baa, Black Sheep with the lyrics "Have you any wool? / Yes, sir, yes, sir, / Three bags full".
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌθɹi bæɡz ˈfʊl ˌsɝ/
- British English: /ˌθɹiː bæɡz ˈfʊl ˌsɜː/