A WET DAY
The expression, ‘your not a wet day in the place…’ is a common one in Ireland. Used by a boss or co-worker when you are not long in a new job and it is deemed that you are taking liberties. The perceived grievance might well be taking time off, asking about your wages or over familiarity, eg. ‘…and your looking for looking for time off’ , ‘… and you want more money or ‘ …and your slagging people.’
Generally said in jest and with some exaggeration to be sure but as I am currently in that position myself I decided that as today was the first wet day of my employment that I should mark it here with some thoughtful words and therefore pre-empt any such remarks. Of course the pre-empting is only for my own satisfaction, as this would indeed be a pointless exercise in any workplace. The certain knowledge of a ‘wet day’ or many of same, having occurred during your employment are easily ignored when the opportunity for use of this witticism arises. When the phrase lost the meaning of its exact wording is unknown, it may never have had it, but be warned not to rely on literal interpretations as it has not been unheard of to have the phrase unexpectedly directed at you after up to one year of continuous employment.
So, Wednesday the 18th May 2005, my first wet day.
Try it yourself. The definition of a 'wet day' should be that it started to rain from about noon on for the rest of your 'working day'. Stay as close to this definition as possible unless you hear someone mention it being 'a wet one', 'wet out' or any reference to the day being 'soft'. If you do hear these descriptions then take that as a bona fide 'wet day'.
