"A Piece of Work" (Full Version)

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TheHeretic -> "A Piece of Work" (7/27/2008 3:28:55 PM)

           I've heard that term used to describe various people quite a bit these last few days.  I'm not sure why, but women seem to use the phrase a lot more often than men.  Of course, men say "psycho bitch" more often, so it probably balances out.

           Is referring to someone as "a piece of work" synonymous with "psycho bitch," or are there shades of meaning I don't have enough estrogen to catch?



Aynne -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/27/2008 3:34:41 PM)

Nope. Not gender specific at all for me Heretic. It is a pretty general comment for anyone that is well..basically fubar.  



hizgeorgiapeach -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/27/2008 3:35:54 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheHeretic
Is referring to someone as "a piece of work" synonymous with "psycho bitch," or are there shades of meaning I don't have enough estrogen to catch?


When I use the term - yeah - it could be considered synonymous with a guy calling a woman Psycho Bitch.  (Although Personally I tend to smile in the 'bearing of teeth' manner and thank them when they call Me that!)
 
There are, however, Some subtlties of shading within it - some women having more Shades visible to them than others.



Thadius -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/27/2008 3:37:31 PM)

For me the term requires a significant ammount of effort to qualify,  because nobody could naturally be that much of an idiot. so it he/she is "a real piece of work".  I also use it to define those dedicated to making being an asshole an artform.



Vendaval -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/27/2008 4:23:34 PM)

When I use the term, "a real piece of work" it means that someone is mentally/emotionally messed up and dealing with them takes too much time and effort for minimal results.



pixidustpet -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/27/2008 7:26:10 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hizgeorgiapeach
when I use the term - yeah - it could be considered synonymous with a guy calling a woman Psycho Bitch.  (Although Personally I tend to smile in the 'bearing of teeth' manner and thank them when they call Me that!)
 
There are, however, Some subtlties of shading within it - some women having more Shades visible to them than others.


heh.  we refer to that particular facial expression as the "not-smile".  and depending on the one baring the fangs it can be a seriously scary experience.

kitten, actually smiling.  [;)]



Lordandmaster -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/27/2008 7:33:49 PM)

I agree that it's not gender-specific, but I'm not sure it's quite the same thing as fubar.  Fubar stands for "fucked up beyond all recognition."  Military-speak.  To me, "a piece of work" is a difficult person whom you just can't get anywhere with.  Someone who always raises some sort of unpredictable impediment, never lets anything go smoothly, always makes life difficult--that's "a piece of work."

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aynne

Nope. Not gender specific at all for me Heretic. It is a pretty general comment for anyone that is well..basically fubar.  



slaveboyforyou -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/27/2008 8:59:06 PM)

quote:

I've heard that term used to describe various people quite a bit these last few days.  I'm not sure why, but women seem to use the phrase a lot more often than men.  Of course, men say "psycho bitch" more often, so it probably balances out.

          Is referring to someone as "a piece of work" synonymous with "psycho bitch," or are there shades of meaning I don't have enough estrogen to catch?


The phrase comes from a monologue in Hamlet:
 
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/405100.html

If you'll note in the link I provided, the usage of the phrase today is completely different from what Shakespeare had intended. 



TheHeretic -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/27/2008 9:18:08 PM)

       Thanks for the history, Slaveboy. 

       On it being gender-specific, I didn't mean in the application, just in terms of who I hear using the term.  Thanks to all who have replied so far.



corsetgirl -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/27/2008 9:57:31 PM)

A "piece of work" is someone who in my opinion is extremely high maintenance, feels a sense of entitlement, gossipy and thinks they know everything there is know about life but this is not necessarily gender specific. Now, psychobitch, I have only heard this to be referred to a woman.



cpK69 -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/28/2008 2:31:47 AM)


My ex-husband is the first person I ever heard use the phrase “a piece of work”. I took it to mean something like a piece of art that you could only stare in awe at, in an attempt to try and figure it out. Kind of beautiful in it’s own confusing way, though, often frustrating.
 
Around here, “psycho bitch” is unmistakably; a venomous creature, often violent, who will attack for no other reason then being in their near proximity. This is both physical and relatively speaking, ie… married into the family; friend of a friend...



JulieorSarah -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/28/2008 4:57:52 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aynne

Nope. Not gender specific at all for me Heretic. It is a pretty general comment for anyone that is well..basically fubar.  


sorry for the deviation, i've hear of a piece of work before and feel i understand it's usage ... FUBAR got me ... i did a search and it's amazing ...

FUBAR 1. (WWII military slang) Fucked up beyond all recognition (or repair).



thishereboi -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/28/2008 5:01:11 AM)

Well, I lived with a "psycho bitch" and she was "a piece of work".....does that help.



Aynne -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/28/2008 5:30:07 AM)

lol...I know, I come from a military family so fubar was pretty commonly tossed around. Never at me of course.[;)]


quote:

ORIGINAL: JulieorSarah

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aynne

Nope. Not gender specific at all for me Heretic. It is a pretty general comment for anyone that is well..basically fubar.  


sorry for the deviation, i've hear of a piece of work before and feel i understand it's usage ... FUBAR got me ... i did a search and it's amazing ...

FUBAR 1. (WWII military slang) Fucked up beyond all recognition (or repair).



slvemike4u -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/28/2008 6:01:45 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: thishereboi

Well, I lived with a "psycho bitch" and she was "a piece of work".....does that help.
Wasn't aware you knew my ex,now you claim to have lived with her?...just kidding she is the mother of my only child and for that I will allways love her!!!!



slaveluci -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/28/2008 6:18:51 AM)

For me, saying someone is "a piece of work" is akin to saying they're a real "character."  It doesn't necessarily mean they are psycho, just that they are kind of an odd individual with a lot of quirks who's hard to sum up.  "Piece of work" has a slightly more negative connotation than "character" but I use them pretty interchangeably when I use them at all..............luci 



LaTigresse -> RE: "A Piece of Work" (7/28/2008 7:26:57 AM)

I am with Luci on this one. For me, "piece of work" is kinda like "motherfucker". Though not quite as flexible.

I've said "damn that woman is a piece of work" with a raised brown and a shake of the head........definately not a positive.

Then I've said "That boy is a real piece of work" with a chuckle and smile and little warm glow in my heart..........definately a positive feeling to it.

Just don't even try to get me started on all my "motherfucker" usages.........[:D]



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