MetaChat - "talking for one's health"

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22 April 2010

"talking for one's health" are you familiar with this idiom? it's one of those rare things where googling it doesn't immediately bring up people discussing its usage/provenance etc.→[More:]

I first heard it in a Nelly song, where she's like "pay attention to me I don't talk for my health!" And yesterday I heard some rapper chick say something similar (to the effect that 'if you're trying to hit on me without money you're only talking for your health'.)

Anyway, my new goal in life is to mix up specialized/regional idioms:

Me: "Considering how much attention I pay to her nattering, I spat the dummy when she told me she felt like she's only talking for her health."

Audience: ...?

post by: Firas at: 13:44 | 5 comments

The version I'm familiar with is "I'm not doing X for the good of my health (you know)!". Does that help?

posted by altolinguistic 22 April | 14:36

alto's version is the one I know too. My Jewish grandmother can often be heard saying this.

posted by birdie 22 April | 14:49

Yes, I'm familiar with the "I'm not just doing X for my health!" aspect.

It's usually said in exasperation, intended to convey the feeling that one is wasting one's time in doing whatever X is, and wants to be acknowledged in some way.

It can also be used when asking for help in a situation where the need for assistance should be obvious (e.g. "Get over here and help me lift this couch, I'm not just doing this for my health!")

posted by amyms 22 April | 14:53

Call into the radio show / podcast "A Way With Words" and ask the hosts Martha & Grant about the phrase.

posted by Triode 22 April | 16:03

Yeah, I've heard the "not just doing X for my health," especially from exasperated older women. I think I've heard it most often in an educational context, when a teacher is doing something that students are supposed to be doing as well - and of course, the students aren't participating.

"Copy down these problems; I'm not just writing them up here for my health!"

posted by unsurprising 23 April | 00:33

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