Off the Hook!

I was informed this weekend that I am the only person who still uses the phrase “off the hook”.

I was at Gabe’s with a group of friends that included “Bridget” (who was visiting from out of town) and “Dutch”. The topic of our discussion… Where was the best place to have breakfast in the Twin Cities? “Dutch” relentlessly defended ‘Keys Café’, (but only the White Bear Lake location). “Bridget” insisted upon the Grandview Grill. My restaurant of choice, “Rudolph’s”!

The Coors Light had gone down easily that night and I was determined to get my point across. To emphasize my belief that Rudolph’s had the best breakfast around, I got everyone’s attention at the bar and said in my most confident voice, ”Rudolph’s has the best Sunday brunch. It’s off the hook!”

I was confused for a good 30 seconds, because everyone at the bar (about 10 people) started laughing… at me. “Dutch” fell off his stool. Another friend, “Sandra” had to put her head down on the bar, because she was laughing so hard. Even the bartender had to put his shaker down. I didn’t get it until “Bridget” piped in, “Jane, I think you’re the only person left in the free world… or at least since 1990, that still uses the phrase, ‘Off the hook’.”

My face turned red (as usual... I hate having the complexion of Larry Bird). I shouted across the bar, “Bridget, I know for a fact that people were still saying ‘off the hook’ well into 1994!”

That probably wasn’t the best thing for me to say, because it just made everyone laugh even harder. “Bridget” gained her composure and looked at me sympathetically. “You’re right honey. I take it back. I think you’re the only person to use that phrase since the last decade.”

I appreciated that “Bridget” qualified her statement.

A FOLLOW UP NOTE:
“Dutch” and I went to the fireworks in downtown St. Paul yesterday evening. As we were walking to the patch of grass by the Science Museum with the best view, he started laughing to himself.

“What’s so funny Dutch?”

He shook his head, but had a huge smile on his face. “Jane, you know how I went to the Boys to Men concert at the Taste of Minnesota?”

I looked at him and said, “Yeah.”

“Well, you aren’t the only person that still says ‘off the hook’. One of the guys from ‘Boys to Men’ referred to something as ‘off the hook’ while he was on stage. It made me laugh out loud. I got a few strange looks from the people around me. No one could figure out what was so funny.”

I was vindicated! I WASN'T the only person left in the world that still says ‘off the hook’. Boys to Men still said it! Actually, I think “Junior” still says it to.

Anyway... to my friends, family and fellow bloggers: I hope your 4th of July weekend was ‘off the hook!’