PhrasesHub

Not tonight Josephine

    Definitions

      • refuse or reject someone or something
        To dismiss or turn down a request or proposition

      • express frustration or annoyance
        To convey irritation or dissatisfaction with a situation or person

    Examples of Not tonight Josephine

    • Tom and Sarah had planned a romantic evening at home, but Tom suddenly announced, "Not tonight Josephine, I have to work late."

      This is an example of the idiom "Not tonight Josephine" being used to politely decline sexual advances or plans for intimacy. The phrase originated in the 1920s and was popularized in the song "Knockin' on Wood" by Huey "Piano" Smith. Today, it is still commonly used as a humorous and lighthearted way to apologize for not being able to follow through with plans due to unforeseen circumstances. In this example, Tom is using the idiom to inform Sarah that he cannot join her for their planned intimate evening because he has to work late. Despite its origins, the phrase has lost its initial Josephine context and can now be used for any partner's name.

    • John said "Not tonight Josephine," as he declined his wife's invitation to make love.

      This is a polite way for a man to refuse his partner's sexual advances, implying that he's not in the mood for intimacy that particular night. The idiom "Not tonight Josephine" is commonly used in this context and originated in the 1950s as a euphemism for a man's rejection of his wife's advances. The name Josephine is used as a stand-in for any woman's name, emphasizing the generic nature of the idiom.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Not tonight Josephine" can be used to refuse or reject someone or something, as well as to express frustration or annoyance with a situation or person.

    Origin of "Not tonight Josephine"

    The origin of the idiom "Not tonight Josephine" can be traced back to a popular saying attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military and political leader. It is said that Napoleon used to say "Not tonight, Josephine" to his wife, Empress Josephine, when he was too tired or preoccupied to engage in romantic activities. Over time, the saying evolved into an idiom used to refuse or reject something. The idiom gained popularity and entered the English language as a way to express frustration or annoyance with a situation or person. While its origins are rooted in Napoleon's personal life, the idiom has since become a common phrase in English-speaking cultures.