Grease the pole meaning origin But the grease pole was a challenge because it had grease on it. ” India. Here's the history. Expression greased lightning, representing something that goes very fast, is American English, by Explore what a 'greased pole' is, its diverse usages and participation in traditional events and idiomatic expressions. When’s the last time you saw Mike Jerrick, Jim Gardner, or Ukee Washington climbing greased poles with the masses? This […] Feb 10, 2023 · The city doesn't grease every pole, but the ones on Broad Street, close to City Hall, get lubed up. soda debate, but the South undoubtedly takes the cake. "Grease" is never said in the script. Eagles fans don't care Philadelphia habitually greases the light poles in Center City to keep jubilant fans earthbound after a big win May 21, 2021 · In that competition, usually there’s between 40 and 50 male participants, between the ages of 18 and 60. And you can't afford to have these mutants accidentally tear down all the antique light poles in your city. Only the word greased (with a "d") is sung in the song “Greased Lightnin Apr 22, 2025 · A pole covered with an oily substance to make it more difficult to climb or walk along, used especially as a form of entertainment; used to refer to the difficult route to the top of someone's profession. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary grease-trap, n. ) Spanish The meaning of GREASED POLE is a pole smeared with grease and erected vertically for a climbing contest or horizontally for a walking contest. Feb 5, 2024 · How did the Greasing of the Poles originate? Al Groos: It truly is a gathering born of necessity. grease (countable and uncountable; pl. Learn about the origins and relevance of the greased pole in various contexts. By understanding the history and meaning behind those games, we hope that you can truly appreciate and respect those who fought hard to gain Indonesia’s independence. The phrase "grease the wheels" doesn't necessarily imply bribery; it means to help things run smoothly by providing amenities for those who have to do the work. ). but no, they went and said not to climb light poles and then greased them. Feb 7, 2025 · Forever tied to the greatest moment in Philadelphia sports history, pole climbing enshrined itself in the city’s culture and “grease the poles” became a rallying cry uttered whenever a Philly team nears a championship. Aug 21, 2020 · There are other types of games that are played during the celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day. Feb 10, 2023 · In an attempt to prevent climbing by Eagles fans, Philadelphia police officer Raul Pinto applied "grease" - actually, hydraulic fluid - to a light pole near City Hall before the team beat the 49ers in the league championships. The men would apply some kind of grease to the skids, which made the ship slide down them greasy pole@stwamy climbing the greasy pole is an expression regarding the career ladder, it is difficult to climb and easy to slide down. Nov 3, 2022 · Bryant Simon, a history professor at Temple University, is the fan who received that “Grease the poles” text message. Surprisingly the sporting event of climbing a greased-up slippery pole is quite common around the world. Mar 1, 2022 · NEW ORLEANS (WGNO/NEXSTAR) — The Big Easy once again became “The Big Greasy” over the weekend, albeit for a few brief moments. greases) Animal fat in a melted or soft state Any oily or fatty matter. Nov 25, 2015 · The origin of mallakhamb can be traced to the 12th century, Mallakhamb’s own name entwines Sanskirt and Hindi to literally means “pole wrestling. The city greased up the poles in anticipation, but it didn’t keep everyone on the ground. K, and in some islands a horizontal pole over water, like the one in Gloucester, is erected each year. likened to a greased pole that is slippery and difficult to climb. Sense of "ply with bribe or protection money" is 1520s, from notion of grease the wheels "make things run smoothly" (mid-15c. Primarily Feb 8, 2025 · Greasing of the poles started more than five decades ago in New Orleans, a city that doesn't take itself too seriously. " Here is the entry for the latter term in Christine Ammer, The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, second edition (2013): grease the wheels Also, oil the wheels. It is believed to have originated in the early 20th century, possibly in reference to the difficult and slippery task of climbing a greased pole as a form of entertainment or competition. Feb 8, 2025 · The phrase “grease the poles” might not mean anything outside of a Philadelphia sports context. Shorn but not yet cleansed wool; Inflammation of a horse's heels, also known as scratches or pastern dermatitis. the greasy pole meaning, definition, what is the greasy pole: used to refer to the difficult process o: Learn more. MORE: How Eagles retooled since last Super Bowl appearance The celebration will be happening in full force in downtown Philadelphia if the Eagles prevail against the Chiefs, and the city might use some of the lessons from October to better grease up the The Queen's Grease Pole, or The Grease Pole, is a steel pole used as part of the annual grease pole climb during orientation week at Queen's University Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. The pole itself, according to legend, was originally part of the goal posts (football uprights) installed at Varsity Stadium at the University of Toronto. if they would've just not made a big deal when the first person climbed a light pole, this wouldn't even be a thing. greased; like greased lightning; broom closet; bring home the bacon; May 16, 2024 · greasy pole (countable and uncountable, plural greasy poles) A sporting event that involves staying on, climbing up, walking over or otherwise traversing a pole that has been made slippery. Click for more definitions. Sunday we were at the Italian Market Festival in South Philly to make a video about the greased pole competition. greasy pole a pole covered with an oily substance to make it more difficult to climb or walk along, used especially as a form of entertainment; used to refer to the difficult route to the top of someone's profession. Benjamin Disraeli is said to have asserted ‘I have climbed to the top of the greasy pole’ on becoming Prime Minister. When it was time to launch a large ship into the water, men would set it on long wooden poles (skids) and slide the ship down the poles, into the water. Jun 10, 2020 · Here are 10 facts about Grease even the most savvy Grease trivia buff may not know. This type of contest is held in numerous fairs around the U. 1884– grease-wood Entry history for greasy pole, n. a pole covered with grease to make it slippery and difficult to climb, often used as entertainment 2. “Greased poles are not to be seen as a personal challenge,” city The origin of the phrase "Greasy Pole" is unknown. Dive into the evolution of barbering and discover the meaning behind the pole's iconic stripes. What does the idiom 'Greasy Pole' mean? With a clear, concise definition and usage examples, discover this idiom's meaning and usage in the English language Long and straight bamboo poles are polished and greased, after which a small bag containing the prize is tied to the top. grease pole, greased pole; Translations greasy pole - event. Oct 28, 2022 · Philly’s history with greased-pole climbing dates back to the start of the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival in the 1960s. The phrase "grease the poles" gained permanent status in the Philadelphia sports community after the Eagles won the Super Bowl title in 2018. However, 'greasy pole' is usually found in the expression 'to climb the greasy pole'. 'to climb the greasy pole' means to progress (with difficulty) in one's career. What does the idiom 'Climb The Greasy Pole' mean? With a clear, concise definition and usage examples, discover this idiom's meaning and usage in the English language. While competing they test out the slipperiness of the pole all while attempting to be the first to reach the end of the pole and grab the red flag. But the practice first made national Aug 26, 2013 · The pole stretches out into the water, and only half of it is covered in grease, but in order to have a higher chance of reaching the flags before slipping off the slippery wood, most competitors Jul 23, 2023 · Unravel the captivating history of the barber pole, from its origins in medieval bloodletting to its modern-day symbolism. A lubricant, called Grease is. These traditional events are essentially the same - there is a long pole covered in grease, lard, or some other lubricant, and participants attempt to climb or walk along the pole to get to the other end, where there may be a prize or flag to recover. Climbing is just second nature in the city — we had a lot of awnings to run on,” said Longo, now 48 and a three-time grease pole champion. Apr 28, 2015 · IBA’s greased pole is vertical, we hold a contest to see who can climb to the top of the slippery pole. The bag usually contains money, sweets, or toys. References Feb 9, 2025 · These sick freaks have an instinctual urge to climb atop of the poles in the city to celebrate. animal fat: fat, lard; Derived words & phrases grease - Terms derived from grease (noun) dirty grease; elbow Mar 3, 2015 · One point worth noting is that, when used figuratively, "grease the skids" seems to mean much the same thing as the much older expression "grease the wheels. The slippery pole used in the event. I've climbed the greasy pole and finally become company director. The city took preventative measures before the game by applying oils to poles and traffic signals to prevent fans from scaling these structures. “We could get up the poles any time with no grease on them. Is “Greasy pole” common in everyday conversation? Yes, "Greasy Pole" is a well-known idiom, although it may not be as commonly used as some other idioms. Grease is a 1978 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Randal Kleiser (in his feature directorial debut) from a screenplay by Bronté Woodard and an adaptation by co-producer Allan Carr, based on the 1972 stage musical of the same name by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. 的定义 Feb 22, 2021 · Long and straight bamboo poles are polished and greased, after which a small bag containing the prize is tied to the top. Greasy pole, grease pole or greased pole refers to a pole that has been made slippery and thus difficult to grip. ” May 19, 2014 · Language discrepancies naturally arise in different geographic regions, like the raging pop vs. Canada also participates in the fun with both versions of the greased pole Feb 10, 2025 · The "grease the poles" phenomenon. In a groundbreaking event that has captured the attention of both locals and visitors, the City of New Orleans has officially greased the iconic poles on Bourbon Street for the very first time. It's actually reall Mar 12, 2010 · [The phrase for offering a bribe is "grease the palm" or "grease the hand. People celebrating out in the streets would try and climb up the gallery support poles to get on the second and third-floor balconies of the hotel. But it’s not a gross euphemism! In a Philly context, it’s literal: win or lose, people like to shimmy up the streetlight poles on Broad Street. A must-read for grooming enthusiasts and history buffs alike. ” Brooke Laizer, of WGNO-TV, greases a pole and wins during the 53rd Annual Greasing of the Poles at the Royal Once a year in the seaside town of Gloucester, Massachusetts, drunk Italian men run across a forty foot telephone pole covered in grease. Feb 1, 2018 · “Growing up in the city, we were always climbing around. That area becomes the beating heart of victory celebrations when local sports teams win. Jay and his daughter Claire are competing with each other about some science. Sometimes a small flag is used instead of the actual prize, which is given to the winner afterwards. Greasy pole, grease pole, or greased pole refers to a tall pole that has been made slippery with grease or other lubricants and thus difficult to grip. Synonyms. " It's proverbial in English at least since the sixteenth century. After nearly 20 years, the grease pole is back About 70 slippery pounds of lard are secured in five-gallon buckets in an undisclosed South Philadelphia location. But since then, the significance has changed a bit. The phrase became a rallying cry for sports fans, signifying both the excitement of the moment and the 2 meanings: 1. mid-14c. This idiom dates back to the days of wooden shipbuilding. But, what is used to grease this pole and how long / far do they have to go? Feb 9, 2025 · Historic Event: New Orleans Greases Bourbon Street Poles for the First Time. Feb 9, 2025 · Why does Philadelphia grease the poles? Simply put, major sporting events lead to intense emotions. Obviously, I had to participate, because you don’t get real journalism anywhere other than CB. Conversations south of the Mason-Dixon line Jun 24, 2023 · The Greasy Pole is a 40-foot telephone pole that is slathered in biodegradable grease — along with other items such as banana peels, orange rinds, eggs and fish guts — and attached to a 12 Jun 3, 2016 · This article, written by Samantha Melamed, appears on Philly. The once-absurd act had become a citywide ritual of civic pride and sports fanaticism. Italian: cuccagna‎ (fem. what is the meaning of 'grease the pole behind you'? The whole sentence is 'Sometimes the best thing to do in a race to the top is grease the pole behind you', which was told by Jay in the Morden Family. , "smear, lubricate, or anoint with grease or fat," from grease (n. “The Greasing of the Poles,” an annual tradition that takes May 18, 2023 · 所以这个短语grease the pole也可以引申表达：“给别人玩阴的、暗算某人”这样的意思； 然后在口语中，其实更常见的是它的相关表达greasy pole，字面意思是“涂抹上了油脂的杆子”； What does Greasy pole expression mean? Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. Read more Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer Feb 10, 2023 · Greased-pole climbing has a decades-old legacy rooted in the city’s Italian immigrants, best witnessed at the annual grease pole climb in South Philly. The origin of the phrase "Climb the Greasy Pole" is unknown. At some point in the mid 1970s, we began having an issue at the Royal Sonesta. Feb 10, 2023 · Ahead of the Super Bowl, Philly considers greasing poles. greasy pole, n. [3] Feb 9, 2025 · One of Philadelphia's most well-known sports traditions is the greasing of the poles whenever the Eagles have a chance to win a major game. Jan 22, 2024 · The article "Tuned In: Past TV Musical Successes Grease the Skids for 'Grease: Live!'" discusses the impact of previous TV musicals on the success of the live broadcast of "Grease: Live!" The film review of "Heart of Champions" in Variety uses the phrase "grease the skids" to describe a character's actions in the college rowing drama Apr 26, 2020 · Hi, guys. Feb 9, 2025 · The 2018 Eagles' Super Bowl victory cemented “grease the poles” in Philly sports culture. A long-standing tradition of the festival challenges groups to work together to climb a lard-covered pole to reach meats and cheeses at the top, said festival producer Michele Gambino. Definition of Greasy pole It's literally a pole with oil / grease on it, which makes it very difficult to climb up. The greasing of the poles started as a necessity to keep people from 2013, Sasha Fenton, Unexplained Zodiac: The Inside Story of Your Sign, Charlesbridge (ISBN 9781607346678), page 49 They have strong opinions, which they moderate while climbing up the greasy pole of politics or advancement at work. I think it's usually used in a negative way We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Mar 1, 2019 · NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The greasiest Carnival tradition in the New Orleans French Quarter will take center stage Friday morning. Definition of grease the skids It means to facilitate matters, to help them run more smoothly. It has since become a local ceremony to oil their poles before Fat Tuesday, marking both a practical context and a poetic one which foreshadows the overflow of joy that is yet Aug 3, 2015 · The pole itself is lubed with everything slippery known to mankind—ranging from axle grease to Tabasco sauce, banana peels to straight oil—making it a real challenge to reach the flag. Whether the result is a win or a loss, the magnitude of a Super Bowl can result in fans doing What does the greasy pole expression mean? Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. To grease (someone's) palm is from 1580s. Feb 14, 2023 · This unlikely preventative measure quickly took on a symbolic meaning for many as the greased poles represented how the enthusiasm of the street couldn’t be contained. You need to take preventative measures against the folks of Philadelphia, and so far it appears that cooking grease is the only effective defense. More specifically, it is the name of several events that involve staying on, climbing up, walking over or otherwise traversing such a pole. However, those mentioned above are the most popular ones. British. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. for better or worse, once Philadelphians are issued a challenge, we're too stupid, angry, and drunk to back down from it. com. It’s physical proof that, after nearly two decades lost to history, the grease pole – Albero della Cuccagna to Italian speakers – is … Continued Jan 29, 2025 · “However, it is very common for building owners to grease balcony support poles. eiaqz bsnmdg nyg szm tmmasw esnheqo kzaudp kqc swy ovlvjw uflxza colxrb ijn emmlhsj yqu