Ginevra Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 (edited) Would you have any idea what someone was alluding to if they said, "Helen Twelvetrees"? I am partially wondering if regional lore comes into play or if the person I know who says this is simply using a very old reference. It sort of annoys me that the person who says this say this. My knee-jerk thought is, "nobody knows what that means!" But maybe I'm wrong. Would you know what this means? Eta: meant to put a poll Edited September 18, 2016 by Quill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 (edited) Nope. No idea. I'm from California. eta: OK, just googled. I'm not sure why it would be a regional thing. Interesting, though. Edited September 18, 2016 by shinyhappypeople 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I've never heard it. Clueless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathmarm Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I would not have any idea what (who?) they're talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 No idea either. What was it in reference to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 No idea either. What was it in reference to? It is an actress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 It is an actress. But why was the person talking about her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ailaena Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I had no clue before I googled, and even afterwards have no idea how/why one would use this term :p 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 But why was the person talking about her? The person used the actress to suggest a child was displaying a particular trait, presumably a trait the actress was known for. Kind of like if you said, "how very Tim Allen of you" or whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Nope. And I've lived in the mid-Atlantic for almost my entire life. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 (edited) I had to google. I suppose classic film buffs would know. Having now read a bit about her I am fascinated. Edited September 18, 2016 by kewb 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 The person used the actress to suggest a child was displaying a particular trait, presumably a trait the actress was known for. Kind of like if you said, "how very Tim Allen of you" or whatever. Got it. The reason I asked is that apparently there is a cocktail known as a Helen Twelvetrees. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEm Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I know who the person is but don't know what they'd be alluding to in reference to her. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 never heard of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Not a clue and I, unfortunately, live with old movie buffs. There is a chance DD knows and I'll ask her later. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I'm feeling increasingly justified in telling "the person" (it's my mom) that she would do best to discontinue this refernce, as it is not understood by anyone outside of our family who is less than 70 years old. I'm tired of seeing people giggle nervously and look away like, "Well, whatever THAT means..." 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEm Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 So what does it mean. I know for the actress but not her traits so couldn't even guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RioSamba Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Now that I've googled I'm curious about which trait she described as "Helen Twelvetrees." 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momacacia Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Something related to a female Native American? (I voted "no clue.") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 No idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I'm from where you're from and I have no clue. It didn't even ring a bell. In fact, I thought you were discussing Maria Tallchief at first, whom I have heard of. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Not a clue and I'm from the same area you are from. Same town as Caroline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arctic Bunny Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Most definitely not from your region, most definitely have no clue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Maybe being not understood is what she is going for. parents.... :tongue_smilie: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Okay, so here's the allusion when my mom say this: the individual is being overly emotional, lachrymose. (And just for full confessions, I did not know the word "lachrymose" until I googled Helen Twelvetrees.) Apparently, the actress was in several movies where her character was like this (lachrymose) and so for my mom and possibly others many decades ago, it became a characterization of the actress herself. My mom has said this often; I recall hearing this allusion throughout my childhood and it seems to me my grandmother and aunt also used this term whenever they thought one of us girls were being over-the-top over some disappointment. I wondered if it was regional because the actress died in Pennsylvania, and maybe was also born there. But maybe this just proliferates as an allusion in my mother's family. In any case, I think it's time she stopped saying this. Nobody has a clue what it means. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Maybe being not understood is what she is going for. parents.... :tongue_smilie: It crossed my mind... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 (edited) Okay, so here's the allusion when my mom say this: the individual is being overly emotional, lachrymose. (And just for full confessions, I did not know the word "lachrymose" until I googled Helen Twelvetrees.) Apparently, the actress was in several movies where her character was like this (lachrymose) and so for my mom and possibly others many decades ago, it became a characterization of the actress herself. My mom has said this often; I recall hearing this allusion throughout my childhood and it seems to me my grandmother and aunt also used this term whenever they thought one of us girls were being over-the-top over some disappointment. I wondered if it was regional because the actress died in Pennsylvania, and maybe was also born there. But maybe this just proliferates as an allusion in my mother's family. In any case, I think it's time she stopped saying this. Nobody has a clue what it means. Ok, I will not use Helen Twelvetree (didn't have a clue who she was, but enjoy reading about old film actors, so I know now!) , but now I want to use lachrymose......thanks for the new word! Edited September 18, 2016 by DawnM 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Ok, I will not use Helen Twelvetree (didn't have a clue who she was, but enjoy reading about old film actors, so I know now!) , but now I want to use lachrymose......thanks for the new word! Me too! I plan to use it today at some point. Might be difficult with two teen boys. They don't weep much. LOL 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 This is funny, and I get it, but you'd probably be more successful with talking yourself out of being annoyed than you would be getting her to change a deeply entrenched habit. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 (edited) Not a clue. I'm from the west coast. Edited September 18, 2016 by Arctic Mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 This is funny, and I get it, but you'd probably be more successful with talking yourself out of being annoyed than you would be getting her to change a deeply entrenched habit. That's true, but don't you just cringe sometimes when parents say something that you know looks dopey? I could ask my one sister to mention it. She's more direct than I am. She brooks no nonsense. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I am well acquainted with the word lachrymose though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I've never heard this phrase before. I grew up in HI and have lived in 6 other states, mostly in the eastern half of the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Me too! I plan to use it today at some point. Might be difficult with two teen boys. They don't weep much. LOL You could say you are glad they aren't lachrymose. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Not even a remote idea. I would ask in case I mis-heard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Nope. Not a clue. I've lived in New Jersey, Georgia, and for most of my life, Florida. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 OK, I googled. How old is this person? Maybe my dad would know. :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 That's true, but don't you just cringe sometimes when parents say something that you know looks dopey? I could ask my one sister to mention it. She's more direct than I am. She brooks no nonsense. Oh, I do completely understand. In my life that person is my MIL. She says "death" when she means "deaf." I've been cringing for over twenty years. I also have the more direct sister. I'd totally pass the buck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arctic Bunny Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Oh, I do completely understand. In my life that person is my MIL. She says "death" when she means "deaf." I've been cringing for over twenty years. I also have the more direct sister. I'd totally pass the buck.My MIL says jah-lep-noes are good in tor-til-ahs, and that tomatoes are good for the prostrate. I just picture the eye rolling smiley in my head. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I am one of the few who voted Yes - but I have been a film history person since age 11. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm37 Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 My MIL says jah-lep-noes are good in tor-til-ahs, and that tomatoes are good for the prostrate. I just picture the eye rolling smiley in my head. That reminds me of my old pastor who said we should prostate ourselves before the Lord. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 No idea. I now live in Alabama but have lived in NM, VA, FL, OH, CA, IL and overseas. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arctic Bunny Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 That reminds me of my old pastor who said we should prostate ourselves before the Lord.Lol, I know, right? It's not like you can SAY anything! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Would you have any idea what someone was alluding to if they said, "Helen Twelvetrees"? I am partially wondering if regional lore comes into play or if the person I know who says this is simply using a very old reference. It sort of annoys me that the person who says this say this. My knee-jerk thought is, "nobody knows what that means!" But maybe I'm wrong. Would you know what this means? Eta: meant to put a poll Yes, but I have a theatre and film background. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Never heard of her. And I grew up around old film buffs. Now I want to watch one of her movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Never heard of her and we watch a fair amount of old movies at my house. I googled and didn't recognize any movies she'd been in so I guess I'm not as much of an old film buff as I thought! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I grew up with dramatic people being called Sarah Bernhardt. If someone used the Helen Twelvetrees reference I would ask what it meant. I'm surprised people don't just ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I grew up with dramatic people being called Sarah Bernhardt. If someone used the Helen Twelvetrees reference I would ask what it meant. I'm surprised people don't just ask. I think sometimes people just chuckle a bit, figure they misheard her and, when no response seems necessary, they just move on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 No clue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I'm feeling increasingly justified in telling "the person" (it's my mom) that she would do best to discontinue this refernce, as it is not understood by anyone outside of our family who is less than 70 years old. I'm tired of seeing people giggle nervously and look away like, "Well, whatever THAT means..." :laugh: :laugh: I have no clue either, never heard of the name. Does your Mom use this a lot? I do love sayings that are "different." I have to google now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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