   Tote That Barge, Lift That BaleIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "tote that barge, lift that bale" is a sarcastic phrase used when someone is barking orders. Though the line came from the 1927 musical *Show Boat*, it stuck in family talk as a joking way to mock bossiness or endless chores. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #People&Relationships #Southern Hillbilly Dude Says...  When I was growin' up, Mom would always say, 'tote that barge, lift that bale' when somebody'd be barkin' orders. Pronunciation[TOHT that barj, lift that bayl] Meaning & Usage- A sarcastic remark about giving orders (idiom, cultural use)
Mae:
Can you carry this, sweep that, fix this light?
Earl:
Sure - tote that barge, lift that bale!- A reference to endless labor (idiom)
Mae:
Still workin’?
Earl:
Yep - feels like I’m just toting barges and lifting bales.other spellings: quit bossin’, slave driver, hard labor, yes, boss man, do this, do that, tote that barge, and lift that bale ★ The phrase isn’t really about barges or bales anymore - it’s a handy comeback when someone’s piling on tasks. ★ OriginThe line comes from the song *"Ol’ Man River"* in the 1927 musical *Show Boat* by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II. Over time, it filtered into Southern/Appalachian speech as a humorous jab at bossiness, thanks in part to the familiar dialect word "tote." NotesStill used in Southern families - especially by older generations - to poke fun when someone’s acting like a taskmaster. Outsiders may recognize it as a Broadway lyric, but in the hills it lived on as everyday sarcasm. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "tote that barge, lift that bale." Usually with a playful or exaggerated tone. | About We are a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia, but wide as the world. Read more... |
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