midlands/derbyshire saying?

[banana]

Ive heard a weird saying often since coming to live in Derbyshire.It is something like 'he was in his(and Im not too sure exactly how to spell this next part) eyeholes/aisles. It means that the person was in their elememt.Any idea why eyeholes/aisles?

[xyzzyplugh]

oxters?

[banana]

Nope -oxters -meaning armpits is a totally different meaning. The word sounds like eyeholes or aisles/isles with two syllables (eye ils) in the derbyshire way.

[Quizmonster]

Dropping an opening 'h' sound is as common in Derbyshire, as it is in Cockney. Could the phrase, therefore, be "in 'is 'igh 'ills"...ie "in his high hills"? Such a lofty position just might suggest the notion of being in one's element' - "I'm the king of the castle" - aspect you refer to. My partner, who is a Derbyshire lady, born and bred, has never heard the saying, but she likes the 'hills' idea. Whaddaya think?

[Quizmonster]

It's just occurred to me, 24 hours later and on the same dropped-h basis as I suggested in my earlier answer...could it possibly be "'e was on 'is 'igh 'orse"? I can see how that just might be misheard as "'e was in 'is 'igh 'ills" by someone unfamiliar with the dialect/accent.

'He was on his high horse', of course, is said of someone putting on airs of superiority or behaving arrogantly. Might that be it?

[banana]

Sorry Quizmonster I did post an answer last night but it seems to have been eaten ! I like the idea of 'igh'ills and your interpretation of it. That may be as close to the actual meaning as I am likely to get. Im not surprised that your lady hasnt heard of the saying as it seems to be restricted to a small area(as they can be sometimes). Thanks for your efforts