Why do we use the phrase "has his head up his own ***"? It seems as though it would be physicaly impossible

Question

for anyone with a spine to accomplish this, so why the analogy? IT can't be done!

Answer 1

First, what would be the most unpleasant place for one to put one's head (were it possible).

Second, calling someone one of the words meaning *** is a way of insulting them, calling them stupid, or worse.

Third, '***' and 'butt' are satisfying words to say, as emphasis, when mildly cussing.

Very few cuss or slang words bear literal interpretation. This puts me in mind of a George Carlin bit, regarding the f word: "They're wishing me s*x, which is a GOOD thing. I should be happy and say 'Thank you! F*** you, too.'"

So, if your head were up your backside, you wouldn't be able to see or hear anything; it's also a sort of unspoken wish of unpleasantness for the person; uncomfortable because of the environment, and the contorsion necessary.

BTW, I use the phrase toward my cat, when he's bathing: There you go! Stick your head up your butt.

Answer 2

We also say that when someone is willingly ignorant, they have their head in the sand, like an ostrich. But no one has ever reported seeing an ostrich with its head in the sand.

Answer 3

Probably because it is seems physically impossible to be as much of an idiot as the person hearing the phrase is being.

Answer 4

One would think that person must have practiced many years in order to eat p**p.

Answer 5

It's just a saying.

Why do people say they "slept like a baby"? What that really means is they were awake, screaming to be fed every two hours all night long.

Answer 6

It's just a phrase to disparage others.  The only cases where something like this would be anatomically possible was in a few rare cases of really bad VATER constellation patients, but even then they generally refrain from this activity as it doesn't serve a rational purpose.

Answer 7

Lots of sayings don't make rational sense & this is one of them.

Answer 8

It means you aren't paying attention, you're oblivous to your surroundings.  

Answer 9

Its possible I do it frequently, sometimes while my foot is simultaneously in my mouth.

Answer 10

Maybe that's the insult....they're calling someone spineless.

I'm going to start using the phrase in this context.

"Dude, you're afraid to that butterfly?!  Get your head out of your @ss!"

Way better than coward,no? lol