Episode 265: Stick to Your Ribs

This week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase, Stick to Your Ribs. Bonus: Visits from series regulars John Ray, Edmund Burke, and Louise Pound, plus our favorite stick to your ribs books. Also, mac-daddi-roni!

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Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast
Episode 265: Stick to Your Ribs
Record Date: January 19, 2025
Air Date: February 5, 2025

Intro

Shauna:
Welcome to Bunny Trails, a whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase.

I’m Shauna Harrison

Dan:
And I’m Dan Pugh

Each week we take an idiom or other turn of phrase and try to tell the story from its entry into the English language, to how it’s used today.

Opening Hook
When you were a kid, did you ever have a big day ahead of you and your mom, dad, grandparent, or some other familial authority figure, make a big meal and tell you to eat plenty of it because it would stick to your ribs? It was certainly an occurrence in my childhood, mostly from my grandma. And this week we’re going to look into that phrase, stick to your ribs.

Meaning

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, stick to your ribs means:

Quote
(of food) to be nourishing and filling, to sustain a person for a long time
End Quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/rib_n1?tab=meaning_and_use#152037167


1670
I want to start with the work A Collection of English Proverbs by John Ray, with this edition being written in 1670. In it, the phrase shows up, but without definition. So I can’t be sure this is the same usage as our phrase. But it is worth mentioning:

Quote
39. To stick by the ribs
End Quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Collection_of_English_Proverbs/NhUsAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22stick%22+to+the+%22ribs%22&pg=PA194&printsec=frontcover

I also saw the phrase in French to English dictionaries and Latin to English dictionaries in the late 1600s and early to mid 1700s but no definitions were provided.

1795
The first time I found this phrase being used outside of a dictionary or translation guide was in a letter written by Edmund Burke in 1795. Interestingly, he was also an early user of the figurative phrase, ‘the lion’s share”. Mr. Burke is sometimes called the philosophical founder of modern British conservatism.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/conservatism/Intellectual-roots-of-conservatism

He wrote a series of letters, sometimes called the Letters on a Regicide Peace in opposition to the revolution in France. He feared the revolution's rejection of tradition and inherited values would result in chaos and tyranny.

But moving away from who he was, there is a quite interesting point to the way he uses the phrase. In the work, he uses the phrase as a metaphor. Let’s take a look:

Quote
These ephemerides of politicks are not made for our slow and coarse understandings. Our appetite demands a piece of resistance. We require some food that will stick to the ribs.
End Quote
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc2.ark:/13960/t88g8m24m&seq=319&q1=stick+to+the+ribs

In this, he isn’t speaking of literal food. But he is adapting what must already be a well known phrase - and one known and used in high society - to make a point about something else. Which means, this phrase must have been in use for quite some time. And that makes me think the early inclusions in the 1600 and 1700s may be the usage as we know it. But without context, we can’t be sure.

On a side note, I had to look up the word ephemerides. It is the plural of ephemeris, which is Latin for diary which comes from the Ancient Greek word for diary or journal. Ephemeris is also the word we use to describe a book with astronomical tables, ones that track the position of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. Britain had a Nautical Almanac and Astronomical Ephemeris at the time of Burke’s writing, so this is likely what he is referencing. But learning more about ephemerides led me down a bunny trail that we will pick back up in the behind the scenes video, which airs every Friday on our Patreon which is patreon.com/bunnytrailspod.

1840
Back to our phrase, this one is from The Magnet: Agriculture, Commercial, and Family Gazette. This is out of London, England and is dated October 31, 1842.
Our phrase appears in part of a court record where Mr. J. Jenkins gave notice to his employer, Dr. Dalrymple, who then fired him on the spot, in apparent violation of the contract. It seems the biggest arguments were over the food being provided to the servants, of which Mr. Jenkins was previously one. This is from the transcript:

Quote
Jenkins: And twice a week we’d pudding made of sawdust and pig’s dung.
Doctor: Ye lee. They war real Scotch puddings diract frae Edinbro’ - a perfect dainty.
Jenkins: We’d nothing for breakfast but gruel and swipes.
Doctor: Crowdie and yill, that wad stick to yer ribs.
End Quote
https://newspaperarchive.com/london-magnet-oct-31-1842-p-3/

1885
Here is an example in the Oxford Times out of Oxfordshire, England, dated September 12, 1885. This one is an advertisement for what looks like a confectioner, or a candy store. As we’ve mentioned before on the show, you know the phrase is understood by the masses if it is used in mass appeal advertising, like the newspaper would have been in 1886. Here is the ad:

Quote
SWEETS! SWEETS! SWEETS!

NOVELTIES.

Stick To Your Ribs,
Lucky Banks,
Holiday Dips,
Chocolate Jaw Pullers,
School Board Wackers,

Old Chums’ Gifts,
TRY YOUR LUCK,
Etc., etc., etc.

Delivered daily: to all parts of Oxford
End Quote
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000634/18850912/057/0003

1907
Here’s one from the Albury Banner and Wodonga Express out of New South Wales, Australia, dated December 13, 1907.

Quote
The Department of Agriculture of the United States is devoting itself to the task of finding out the heaviest yielding and best adapted legume for each particular section of the United States. One of the most promising of these, which is being experimented with, for a large portion of the country where the winters are not too severe, is the Egyptian Beerseem. This is a rank grower, and makes a splendid forage, and is considered indispensable throughout a large section of the Nile Valley. Containing so much nitrogenous matter, the legumes are very strong foods. We have all heard the statement that beans will stick to your ribs. Either as stock or human food all the legumes are muscle-makers, and hard work can be done when they are used as a ration.
End Quote
https://newspaperarchive.com/albury-banner-and-wodonga-express-dec-13-1907-p-16/

It appears berseem clover, the legume in the article, is planted in many places in the US today and is primarily used as a cover crop, which means it reduces soil erosion and keeps weeds from growing, as green manure, meaning it is a nitrogen replacement for the soil, as a forage which is feed for livestock, and as a wild plot which feeds wild animals like rabbit or deer. It’s also a good pollinator plant for bees.
https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_TRAL6.pdf

1927
Here we come back to a familiar source, the 1927 dictionary of slang American Speech Volume II, edited by Louise Pound, Kemp Malone, and Arthur Kennedy. This is under the section of Dialect Words from West Virginia, though obviously the phrase has been used in other places as well. Their format uses the phrase, then defines it, and then they use it in a sentence:

Quote
Stick to your ribs
To eat substantial food
“Meat and potatoes will stick to your ribs.”
End Quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/American_Speech/79c4AAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=stick+to+your+ribs&pg=PA365&printsec=frontcover


1935
This one comes to us from The Daily Gleaner out of Kingston, Jamaica dated January 16, 1935.

Quote
It is used, I say, in the making of Stick-in-the-ribs. In other words, and to put this matter less familiarly, flour dumplings are manufactured out of flour; and in Jamaica we have developed a system of making dumplings out of flour which, when boiled, has the toughness of a cannon ball, the filling qualities of an ox, and a tendency to reside within the stomach as though it would permanently take up its habitation there - hence the colloquial appellation of Stick-in-the-ribs.
End Quote
https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-gleaner-jan-16-1935-p-12/


1945
One more before we move to more modern uses. This one is also an advertisement, but I thought it was interesting because it’s during World War II, which makes the concepts of our phrase, food that is sustaining and filling, more important than in other times. This is from a newspaper called Sikeston Standard out of Missouri, USA. It is dated July 13, 1945 and is an ad for a grocery store called Roberts’:

Quote
Buy Foods that “Stick to the Ribs”
These War Times demand the best in all of us, which means the foods that will supply the most in physical energy -- good wholesome foods -- high in quality foods.
The Best is the Cheapest -- Is especially TRUE in FOODS
These are the kinds of food we have and sell, and our splendid patronage is proof that the people of this community want such Foods -- Foods that stick to the ribs.
End Quote
https://newspaperarchive.com/sikeston-standard-jul-13-1945-p-23/

With that, it’s time to move to our more modern uses but first we need to say thank you to our sponsors.

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Modern Uses

2001
Sticks to Your Ribs is a dark, gritty 2001 song by Zealous Fuel. The lyrics work better as a story than the music works as a song, in my opinion. Here is the first verse and the chorus:

Quote
Something will sink its claws into you
Something will do everything to you
Something - Something - Something
Out of nowhere it grabs on to you
Out of nowhere it holds on like glue
Out of - Out of - Out of
Nothing else sticks like that to your skin
Nothing else will break out from within
Nothing - Nothing- Nothing

Slowly but surely it - Sticks to your ribs
It sticks to your ribs
End Quote
https://youtu.be/93w3c4yTviY?si=hayoa6yUW1jsr30G

2004
Next up is a 2004 book by James Michael Pratt. It’s called Mom: The Woman Who Made Oatmeal Stick to My Ribs. Here’s the synopsis from the publisher:

Quote
Nationally bestselling author, James Michael Pratt, pays tribute to all mothers through the powerful memories of his own mother - a typical everyday Mom. Jim's stories bring back memories of our own childhood interactions with Mom and the important values that she tried so hard to instill in our lives. James Michael Pratt writes: "Oatmeal might not literally stick to ribs, but I never, ever, eat it without hearing Mom's voice. So it wasn't just the oatmeal that stuck to this boy. The porridge was a symbol of something else that would stay with me -- her love and pride in me and the time-tested values she taught, which provided real warmth and a shield against the punches life would deliver."
End Quote
https://books.google.com/books/about/Mom_the_Woman_Who_Made_Oatmeal_Stick_to.html?id=LcI-AQfDw_EC

Here’s a couple of quotes from the author that spoke to me. Maybe they’ll touch a point with you, too.

"Jimmy, eat your oatmeal, it'll stick to your ribs." I recall as a boy feeling around my rib cage after eating my oatmeal and wondering if it took a trip other foods didn't. Maybe oatmeal really did hang out down there.

And

The advice of our mothers. Maybe we don't always understand it as children (how does my failure to clean my plate affect the starving children in Africa?), but it carries a message of love and concern that reaches far beyond words.
https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Woman-Made-Oatmeal-Stick/dp/1590382536

2007
Stick to Your Ribs was an episode of Guy’s Big Bite which aired on September 15, 2007. The show is hosted by Guy Fieri and it ran for 19 seasons, from 2006 to 2016. This episode was from the 3rd season, episode 5. Here’s the synopsis from the food network:

Quote
Guy has perfected the art of ribs with his big-time- flavor recipe: a homemade spice rub, topped with his Spicy Cherry Glaze. Cool your mouth off with some Mac-Daddi-Roni salad. Plus a cookie pie cocktail.
End Quote
https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/guys-big-bite/episodes/stick-to-your-ribs

2012
Stick to Ya Ribs is an electronic 2012 song by Peven Everett off the album Miami Conference Essentials Vol 1. There are words to this song, but they are buried in the song. I couldn’t find the lyrics online, which is odd, but I’m not sure the lyrics were important. They are almost another percussive element to the song. We’ll link to it on the Patreon if you want to hear it, like we do with all the modern use features.
https://youtu.be/KMA5XrqvdK8?si=-zH_llIH2Y8GyKfS

2017
The Food Network is at it again, this time with Stick to Your Ribs, the second episode of the reality show Eat, Sleep, BBQ hosted by Rashad Jones. It aired for one season in 2017. Here’s the synopsis of this episode from the Food Network:

Quote
Rashad Jones hits the road in search of pit masters who are cooking up delicious and unique versions of barbecued ribs. First, Rashad hangs with a rising barbecue star in Atlanta, Georgia, who's serving tender pork ribs straight from a slow-cooked whole hog with bonus sides passed down from generational recipes. Then Rashad takes on alligator ribs in St. Louis, Missouri, along with a towering barbecue smoked burger. Rashad's final stop introduces him to a local spot serving up deep-fried baby back ribs with a side of heartwarming collard greens.
End Quote
https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/eat-sleep-bbq/episodes/stick-to-your-ribs

Current
I want to close out with a category I found on the Good Reads website. This is called Stick To Your Ribs Books. It is, much like our first attestation in 1795, using the phrase as a metaphor for its meaning. The list of books are ones that stay with you for a while. I’m not sure it’s necessarily ‘sustaining’, but they are going to live rent free for a while. Here are just a few of the books include:

Poems and Fragments by Sappho
Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert M. Sapolsky
East Asia: The Great Tradition by Edwin O. Reischauer
On Contradiction by Mao Zedong
Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity by Judith Butler
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/stick-to-your-ribs

Wrap Up
This is a phrase we definitely used in my house growing up in Texas. Usually it was applied to big breakfasts of eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, toast, and a variety of other options sprinkled in. I still to this day see biscuits and gravy, and many other breakfast foods, as my go-to stick to your ribs kind of food. I’m also the kind of person who will eat breakfast any time of the day so anytime I’m really hungry I know I can jump to something that will fill me up and stay with me for a while.

Dan:
That’s about all we have for today. If you have any thoughts on the show, or pop culture references we should have included,
reach out to us on Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod or comment on our website bunnytrailspod.com

Shauna:
It’s poll time!

Recently we asked our Patrons: fritos, doritos, or cheetos?

It turns out, the 3 were a virtual tie. So we need to arbitrarily pick a winner, and here at Bunny Trails, we vote the winner is… US; the people who get to eat them.

JPG notes their favorite:

Quote
Fritos are the only one of those I am not allergic to so Fritos it is!! :)
End Quote

Same for me. I love Fritos!

Dan:
Jan added:

Quote
Nacho Cheese Doritos. I also like the retro Taco flavored ones and Cool Ranch. Not a fan of the BBQ, hot mustard or other flavors. I do enjoy some Fritos in chili Frito pie.
End Quote

I’m a sucker for a Doritos seasonal flavor. One time I got a bag of the Ketchup flavored Doritos and they were intense. I didn’t really love them, but I was resolute in my stubbornness to finish the bag anyway. I did enlist my son’s boyfriend to help me. He is as stubborn as I am in some ways; we managed to power through it.

Cheetos are a staple of my travel diet. I like to get a variety box of the lunch-size bags and then I have a different flavor every day with my sandwich.

But I also love Frito chili pies, topped with nacho style cheese and a dollop of sour cream, maybe a few jalapenos if I want some spice. This whole episode has made me hungry.

Shauna:
As a reminder, our silly polls mean absolutely nothing and are not scientifically valid. And patrons of all levels, including our free tiers, can take part. Head over to patreon.com/bunnytrailspod to take this week’s poll!

Outro

Shauna:
Thanks for joining us. We’ll talk to you again next week. Until then remember,

Together:
Words belong to their users.