How do ya like them apples

In the movie Chinatown Jack Nicholson's character uses this expression to convey his surprise at a sudden turn of events, at the 45 minute mark. Apparently during the first World War, the Allies had an anti-tank grenade which was colloquially referred to as a "toffee apple" thanks to the appearance of its bulb: In the John Wayne movie "Rio Bravo", one of the characters launches a "toffee apple" at the enemy lines and says the phrase "How you like them apples?

Adrian Petrescu Adrian Petrescu 5 5 silver badges 12 12 bronze badges. I had always thought it was just an aggressive poseur asked when someone went about 'upsetting the apple cart'. Bit of a stretch that a phrase first documented in a cowboy film came from a WWI trench mortar — mgb. Martin: I looked this up and found three or four independent sources backing up this origin story, and no other ones seriously put forth.

This made me think of the standard US hand grenade of WW2, which had the nickname "pineapple" because the pattern of grooves cast into its body: en. As in the case of the Good Will Hunting scene, the context makes it seem like the audience is expected to already recognize the phrase, so it seems to me that the phrase was already in the popular consciousness. The WWI explanation might be it, but it wouldn't surprise me if the soldiers were also making reference to something even older.

Show 1 more comment. And its original meaning may not have had anything to do with trench mortars or grenades, even if they played a role in how troops understood or used the expression during the war: Bryan is the best cotton market in this section of the state and has received more cotton than any other town in this section. Michael Magee Michael Magee 79 1 1 silver badge 3 3 bronze badges. Also in the Movie Chinatown Gittes played by Jack Nicholson says, "How do you like them apples" after talking on the phone with Miss Sessions who earlier pretended to be Mrs.

Talia Felix Talia Felix 61 1 1 silver badge 2 2 bronze badges. Featured on Meta. Now live: A fully responsive profile. Can also mean freeing breasts possibly from brassiere. Free them apples , take off your brassiere! I will bring in the new leads. Something you say to someone when you have completely owned them. If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back?

Here it is, on a scale of Quotes Shmoop will make you a better lover Do you like apples? Recover your password. Get help. Northeast Times. Home News How do you like them apples? It finally feels like fall.

Apple of my eye: Savor the Fall flavor with these apple-based recipes.