Arris

[shammydodger]

Similar to an earlier question, where does the term "arris" come from, to describe one's derriere?

[shaneystar2]

Convoluted Cockney rhyming slang for 'a-se'; Arris, an abbreviation of Aristotle, rhyming with bottle, and thereafter leading to bottle and glass rhyming with 'a-se'.

[SaxyJag]

I think it comes from the French word, 'aras' (sp?), meaning something like 'behind'.

Shakespeare's plays very often feature an 'arras' - a curtain at the back that people hide behind or retreat behind when they want a little privacy. 'Polonius behind the arras' is a famous tragicomic scene in Hamlet, where the unfortunate Polonius, hiding behind the arras, is mistaken for someone else and stabbed.

[jno]

the bottle shaney mentions is also the one in 'losing your bottle'.

[aidantraffor]

Arris Rail {garden fence material} Somewhere Pale{where the sun don't shine!}

[shammydodger]

Thanks to all for answering. I do remember reading Bill Bryson's version of the truth in "Mother Tongue" and it was the version shaneystar has given. Although I had read this, I thought it would be wise to ask others for their take on the derivation of "arris." After all, the more that one reads the web, wikipedia, etc., the less certain one becomes as to what is the truth, or likely the truth!

[n00dles]

Did you hear the David Nixon was admitted to hospital for an operation?

He went in for ANITA HARRIS !!

[raysparx]

As they say Bottle and Glass = arse arristotle = bottle so shorten bottle and glass to "arris"

[dennisdenise]

Aristotle, bottle,bottle and glass, ar*e.