Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 6 down vote favorite

There is some idiom that starts out like, "I'm going to start taking names and..." I can't remember the rest of it. What is it and when is it used?

share|improve this question
Can you please change the question to 'What idiom starts out like "I'm going to start taking names and..."?' instead of just 'What is this idiom?' – syockit Mar 24 '11 at 11:28

2 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

Are you perhaps referring to this?

I'm going to start kicking ass and taking names

share|improve this answer
You might want to expand on this, especially about taking names as it relates to queueing up. – Andre Stechert Mar 24 '11 at 11:05
I don't think that's exactly it. Could that be from another idiom? – language hacker Mar 26 '11 at 3:06
up vote 0 down vote

This is a military term, specifically Navy, and the exact unit is the Navy military police, or Shore Patrol.

Origin was based on shore-leave: it is the job of the SP to patrol and manage crimes and other behavioral problems of Naval personnel, preferably before they happen-- but to deal with them effectively when they do happen.

After a fight, the SP will sequester the "ringleaders" and confiscate their ID cards long enough to make official note of who they are.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.