"Man up".... Eh?

[DrTre]

I am most certainly not to cause offence to anyone but where has the phrase "Man up" come from?

I realise what it's intended to mean but it has to be the most homo-erotic rejoinder I've heard in recent times, something straight out of Top Gun.

Anyone know its origin?

[crofty1984]

Probably there's words involved. And some letters too, I imagine.

[Cara Van Man]

Interestingly, the letter 'E' is not used.

[Adenauer]

I watched Tropic Thunder last night and am pretty sure someone said it in that film, maybe it came from there?

[Neil_H]

crofty1984 said:

Probably there's words involved. And some letters too, I imagine.

And Americans.

[ewenm]

Isn't it just the USA version of "Big boys don't cry" or "Be a man about it"? Sayings that are well-known in the UK.

Homo-erotic? Only if you're looking for that meaning in the first place. Seek and ye shall find. Why not just "man up" and stop worrying about it?

[WildCards]

I picked it up from my forces days. It was regularly used during training, along with 'MTFU' and 'I have a can of MTFU for you'.

I quite like it TBH. It's short and straight to the point.

[jshell]

For us it means to employ more manpower, as in recruit more people or up-man.

[DrTre]

<shrugs> Am not particularly looking for homo-eroticism, I'm sure there're plenty of places on the internet for that.

Like I say, not wishing to cause offence. Just strikes me as being one of those phrases that becomes outstandingly camp....like "Gucci bit of kit", something I've heard in diving circles...

jshells definition is one I've not come across before (ooh matron etc etc)

Edited by DrTre on Wednesday 21st January 09:34 to remove words that weren't intended

Edited by DrTre on Wednesday 21st January 09:35

[A1GOY]

It's used alot in the little known, but brilliant, US sitcom 'How I met your Mother'.
I've been using it for a while... Rather effective while playing drinking games.

[Maxf]

I got it from Training Day.

[wadgebeast]

DrTre said:

<shrugs> Am not particularly looking for homo-eroticism, I'm sure there're plenty of places on the internet for that.

Like I say, not wishing to cause offence. Just strikes me as being one of those phrases that becomes outstandingly camp....like "Gucci bit of kit", something I've heard in diving circles...

jshells definition is one I've not come across before (ooh matron etc etc)

Edited by DrTre on Wednesday 21st January 09:34 to remove words that weren't intended

Edited by DrTre on Wednesday 21st January 09:35

Probably military / navy in origin. 'Gucci' definitely is. 'Man up' is used v commonly, and has been for years in the Marines.

[wildoliver]

I think the real question here is "The other day I got told to "man up" what does it mean", well basically it means you are a wuss or a raving homosexual to rival Julian Clary.

You should get a 4 pack of Guiness original, watch Ice road truckers, have an almost raw steak then go down to the pub and start a fight with the biggest bloke there.

That should man you up.

no responsibility taken for any injuries you incur in removing the ghey from yourself

[captainzep]

Maxf said:

I got it from Training Day.

Me too was trained in usage of phrase.

[Munter]

wildoliver said:

I think the real question here is "The other day I got told to "man up" what does it mean", well basically it means you are a wuss or a raving homosexual to rival Julian Clary.

You should get a 4 pack of Guiness original, watch Ice road truckers, have an almost raw steak then go down to the pub and start a fight with the biggest bloke there.

That should man you up.

no responsibility taken for any injuries you incur in removing the ghey from yourself

Ice Road Truckers? You Poof. MTFU! Deadliest Catch is what you wanted to say.

Edited by Munter on Wednesday 21st January 12:02

[anonymous-user]

I first heard it in Superbad.

[MK4 Slowride]

Maxf said:

I got it from Training Day.

Is that where they teach you to use the lavitory without your mum's help?

[The Black Duke]

In what context would you want to "Man up" something? I have never heard of this. I must lead a sheltered life.

[Landlord]

I reckon it's from the current media predilection for "sound-bites".

[anonymous-user]

The Black Duke said:

In what context would you want to "Man up" something? I have never heard of this. I must lead a sheltered life.

It just sort of means "be a man".

Like in the film I mentioned, Superbad, the character has drank a few bottles of beer, then chased someone. He's throwing up on the side of the road and he's told to "man up", as in stop vomming.