This expression was in common use in the British Royal Navy, certainly in the eighteenth century, but is probably even earlier than this. As these ships were built of wood and powered by sail, emphasis was given to fire power and hull design and as a result crew accommodation and food storage were extremely primitive. This meant that foodstuffs were subject to attack and contamination by the numerous rats living on them. When this happened, the food or other stores, such as sails or ropes that had been destroyed by rats or so contaminated by them as to be totally unusable, would be described as having 'gone to rat shit'.
The expression became more widespread due to its use within the Royal Dockyards and still later within civilian establishments. Its meaning also began to change and expand so that it came to mean anything that had become broken, damaged or useless for any reason not just rat attack. It also began to be applied to people where it meant someone who had changed from being pleasant and personable to unpleasant and disagreeable. It is also applied to someone whose health is failing, affecting their appearance.
The expression became more widespread due to its use within the Royal Dockyards and still later within civilian establishments. Its meaning also began to change and expand so that it came to mean anything that had become broken, damaged or useless for any reason not just rat attack. It also began to be applied to people where it meant someone who had changed from being pleasant and personable to unpleasant and disagreeable. It is also applied to someone whose health is failing, affecting their appearance.
by AKACroatalin February 24, 2017
Get the Gone to rat shit mug.The Shadiest, and most deceiving and evil of all beady eye strains. Extremely conniving and very ill willed. Revengeful and Vindictive.
1. You can always tell what that Ice Queens intentions are, just by looking at her beady rat eyes.
2. I suggest you tuck your balls, and cover your heart, because those beady rat eyes your GF has when she wants revenge or is being vindictive, are scary as fuck.
3. The eyes tell everything, and when a female has beady rat eyes like George W Bush, run for your life brother.
2. I suggest you tuck your balls, and cover your heart, because those beady rat eyes your GF has when she wants revenge or is being vindictive, are scary as fuck.
3. The eyes tell everything, and when a female has beady rat eyes like George W Bush, run for your life brother.
by GIRTHQUAKE72 November 16, 2019
Get the beady rat eyes mug.Related Words
Rat Rat
• hood rat
• sewer rat
• rug rat
• rat bastard
• rat king
• rat fink
• rat-hole
• rat tail
• street rat
This is a nickname used by the Dinky Rat himself, YouTuber "Denis Wisestorm" to call his fans and supporters. Dinky rats are loyal, intelligent and critical thinking rodents. Sometimes they are just too much, but that's just part of who they are. Denis is to blame for that. They're receptive to others' opinions regardless of whether or not they agree with them and they are mature enough to not take them personal. Dinky rats can be recognized from miles away. While everyone is going with the herd, the Dinky Rats are not. They're known for being nonconformist, unafraid to speak up if something is false, wrong or simply irrational. They might come off as rude or cold, but they're really not. Their hearts are full of unconditional love and they just want the best for you, but you're just not getting it. Make sure to never step on a Dinky Rat's tail. They are smart creatures and know just how to put you back in your stinky place with their sharp teeth which they do not hesitate to pull out. They are one of a kind, extremely honest, and just want to help.
by Denis Wisestorm September 27, 2022
Get the Dinky Rat mug.An alternative to the outdated phrase "What the nasty", because rats are nasty. Rarely used outside of Massachusetts private high schools. A suitable family-friendly substitution for "what the f**k".
Masshole 1: Bro, I saw your girl talking it up with another dude at ultimate frisbee practice.
Masshole 2: Bro, what the rat?
Masshole 1: I feel you bro.
Masshole 2: Bro, what the rat?
Masshole 1: I feel you bro.
by Moderate Girth April 11, 2017
Get the What the rat mug.by BiPolar Excess January 1, 2012
Get the munch rat mug.Term for the worn out, run down, filthy, battle-rattled Defender who lives in a priority level 1 Weapons Storage Area(WSA), keeping the wolf away. The Air Force’s grunt. Not Law Enforcement Troops.
I’m not a cop, I’m a Dub Rat.
Law Enforcement troops are not dub rats.
Dub Rats don’t care for law enforcement Defenders.
Law Enforcement troops are not dub rats.
Dub Rats don’t care for law enforcement Defenders.
by DefensorMortis November 7, 2019
Get the Dub Rat mug.Rat earbuds are earbuds made from a pair of ears off a dead rat's carcass, along with some spare wire. The ears of the rat function as the buds that go in your ears, while the wire functions as the cord and aux plug. Not as good as normal ear buds, but will do in a pinch.
Crafting requirements:
x2 severed rat ears
x1 spare wiring
x1 salvaged aux plug
Crafting requirements:
x2 severed rat ears
x1 spare wiring
x1 salvaged aux plug
Johnny broke his air pods and didn't have the money for a new pair so he fashioned himself a pair of rat earbuds for now until he gets paid on Friday.
by Suckmytoes_77 April 14, 2021
Get the Rat earbuds mug.