three bags full, sir

alternative three bags full, Sir

1. oftensarcasticIntensifies a statement of agreement, indicating that the speaker is craven or obsequious.

   Get forensic on to it right away.' 'Yes, sir,' Hatchley said through clenched teeth as he left. Banks could almost hear the 'three bags full, sir'

   2014, Peter Robinson, DCI Banks: The first three novels, Pan Macmillan, →ISBN

   2 more examples

   Because, if he speaks his truth, he may no longer have a job and so, instead of living his truth, he says: “Yes, Sir; of course, sir. Three bags full, Sir.” He gives his power away.

   2001, Barbel Mohr, translated by Heike Müller, “How Do I Learn to Listen to My Inner Voice?”, in The Cosmic Ordering Service, Charlottesville, Va.: Hampton Roads Publishing Company, Inc., →ISBN, page 31

   Some managers took 50% of the income, some even paid the artist nothing but a weekly salary, and still the majority of those artists said, yes sir, no sir and three bags full sir. To a great degree, Epstein changed all of that ...

   2004, Paul Charles, The Complete Guide to Playing Live: A Survival Guide to the Rock Circuit, Music Sales Group, →ISBN

1. Alternative letter-case form of three bags full, sir.

   “[…] Oh and when she’s nice and settled, then you can roll out the jenny again, OK?” / “Yessir. Three bags full, Sir. And while I’m doing all that?”

   2013, Theo Dorgan, chapter 27, in Making Way: A Novel, Dublin: New Island, →ISBN, page 170

   5 more examples

   Because, if he speaks his truth, he may no longer have a job and so, instead of living his truth, he says: “Yes, Sir; of course, sir. Three bags full, Sir.” He gives his power away.

   2001, Barbel Mohr, translated by Heike Müller, “How Do I Learn to Listen to My Inner Voice?”, in The Cosmic Ordering Service, Charlottesville, Va.: Hampton Roads Publishing Company, Inc., →ISBN, page 31

   ‘Two coffees,’ he told the girl politely, adding, ‘And some of these cake things I saw in the kitchen.’ / ‘Treacle oaties, Sir,’ the young girl said, bobbing. ‘Yes, thank you, Sir.’ / Harry caught Anna’s frown, but she waited until the door closed before venting her disapproval. / ‘Yes, Sir, no, Sir, three bags full, Sir. How ghastly! And the starched pinny, and the lace cap!’

   2012, Liz Todd, Shame the Devil, London: Olympia Publishers, →ISBN, part 3, chapter 1, page 246

   “You know, Sergeant, you are not seeing the big picture. This is a real opportunity to enhance your resume with this type of field research.” / “Like I said, Sir,” I stopped walking and turned to face Mr. Douglas and continued, “three bags full, Sir.”

   2013, Bill Fortin, “Junkyard Friendship”, in Red Eye Fulda Cold: A Cold War Novel, [Bloomington, Ind.]: Xlibris, →ISBN, part II (Growing Up in Gelnhausen), page 158

   She was dismissed. “Thanks Shona. Keep me updated with any new developments. Immediately,” said the Chief. / “Of course, Sir.” Three bags full, Sir. How was she meant to solve a murder with every official in the city breathing down her neck?

   2014, Wendy H. Jones, “November 2012”, in Killer’s Countdown (The DI Shona McKenzie Series; 1), [Dundee]: Scott and Lawson, →ISBN, page 84

   Three times in three minutes he had felt a need to comment on my perceived tardiness in returning to the task of arming. I was pissed off with his attitude and as he passed I said: “Yes Sir, three bags full, Sir. Life as a f . . . ing staff sergeant must be hard to take if all you have to do is walk up and down throwing your f . . . ing rank around.”

   2016, Brian Florence, History of 1 Field Squadron Group, Royal Australian Engineers, SVN, 1965–1972, [Bloomington, Ind.]: Xlibris, published 2021, →ISBN, pages 214–215