What does this expression mean? I'll be there with bells on. "

[fastz28]

Well, I know it means yes, but what's the story behind it?

"Are you going to the party tonight, Jenny?"

"I'll be there with bells on."

 

[Adul]

probaly means I will be there and I will make a scene or you will know that I will be there.

 

[hoihtah]

i'll be there ... all ready to rock the party!

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Basically he/she is saying he/she wouldn't miss whatever for the world

 

[gotsmack]

bell-bottoms?

 

[amnesiac]

I love saying that. Annoys the frick outta people.

 

[Peetoeng]

<< Well, I know it means yes, but what's the story behind it?

"Are you going to the party tonight, Jenny?"

"I'll be there with bells on." >>



It's an old tradition for cows to wear bells.









--Non sequitur

 

[Hammer]

fsck ya!



<< probaly means I will be there and I will make a scene or you will know that I will be there. >>

 

[minendo]

IF that is all she is wearing, I want to be there.

 

[her209]

<< "I'll be there with bells on." >>



It means, PICS???

 

[stash]

Its just another great "Woody-ism"

 

[Tallgeese]

It means:

I'll be there....DRESSED LIKE JERBOY!

 

[ThaGrandCow]

If it's a guy it means he is the woman in the relationship

 

[Ken g6]

It means somebody needs to buy a copy of the book A Hog On Ice and/or Horsefeathers, so we can all get answers to these questions!

 

[kgraeme]

It means that one is ready for fun.

Some possible etymology:

From takeourword.com:


<< One source suggests that this phrase arose when horses and carriages were the primary mode of transportation. On special occasions, say on the way to a party, the horses would be fitted with bells for a festive sound, echoing the carriage passengers' plans to enjoy themselves. >>



From rootsweb.com


<< To be somewhere with "bells on" refers to a practice peddlers had when they roamed the area west of the Appalachians selling wares. To avoid Indians, they traveled as silently as possible until they reached a settled area. Then they unmuffled bells hung around their horses necks to announce their arrival to outlying cabins. Hence, "I'll be there with bells on." The peddlers' arrival was a much anticipated major event in the mostly tedious and hard lives of settlers, not only for the goods they sold, but also for the news, letters, and messages they carried from the outside world. >>



I have also heard that it might have to do with an old Roman practice of having slave girls wear nothing but bells on their ankles. Also christmas carolers would carry bells as they go from party to party to party spreading cheer (or whatever they thought they were doing.)