The phrase "give it the deep six" is an idiom that means to get rid of something, usually permanently. The spelling of the word "six" is interesting because it is pronounced as "siks" rather than "siks-TH" as one might expect from its written form. This is because the pronunciation has shifted over time from the Old English "siex" to the modern "siks," reflecting the evolution of the English language. So if you want to use this idiom correctly, remember to emphasize the "siks" sound! [dɪp sɪks]
The phrase "give it the deep six" is an idiomatic expression that originated from nautical terminology and is now commonly used in informal contexts. When someone says they will "give it the deep six," they mean they will discard, get rid of, or abandon something or someone, usually by throwing it overboard.
This phrase has its roots in the practice of sailors marking the depth of water on a lead line using special marks called "deeps." The "deep six" mark indicates that the water is six fathoms deep (equal to approximately 36 feet). When something was deemed useless or undesirable on a ship, sailors would jokingly say they would "give it the deep six," implying that it was being cast away into the deep sea, well beyond recovery.
In contemporary usage, "give it the deep six" has expanded its meaning beyond literal maritime references to figuratively refer to discarding or disposing of something. It is often used when discussing abandoning or eliminating an idea, plan, project, or object due to its impracticality, obsolescence, or irrelevance. It implies a decisive rejection or dismissal of something, often with the intention of replacing it with a better alternative. This expression is typically used to convey a casual and colloquial tone, emphasizing the complete and final nature of the action.