Wife and I got in a minor spat (very minor). Do you say “keep your cards close to your vest” or “keep cards close to your chest”? I am on #teamchest and she is firmly planted in #teamvest. I googled it - you can say either. But I’m curious what fellow boingers say. I’m acknowledging we’re both the same degree as right - just curious what others here say, how old they are (roughly), whether they’ve heard both or just one, and where in the world you are.
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I’m a southern Californian, and I’ve read both, heard both, and used both. I think I prefer “vest” just because it gives it a little Old West panache.
Oh, and I’m 46.
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Cards? Who says cards?
It’s bards. Keep your bards close to your chest (or vest, either is fine).
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Chest. I have never heard the vest variation. Somewhere south of 40, still, somehow. Brit/PNW.
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I always used “chest,” and never heard vest (though maybe my brain auto-corrected it when people said “vest”). Grew up in SoCal, live in TX now. I’m in the low 40s somewhere.
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I use “Vest” but have heard both. 26 in the PNW.
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I don’t remember ever hearing “vest.”
And I remember the first word as “Play,” not “Keep.”
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Pretty sure I’ve heard both. there are several related constructions I think
holding your cards close to your chest
but
playing it close to the vest
I’m 39, and Canadian
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I’ve heard both forms.
Yes, I know that was no help at all; sorry.
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Over 40, Canuck of British heritage…
And I’ve heard mainly chest, but I have distinct memories of English relatives saying “vest”.
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Depends what I may be wearing at the time.
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Chest, never heard vest. Missouri & Minnesota. Edit: I’m in my mid-30s.
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I’ve always said vest.
I’ve heard chest, but when I’m speaking, if I say chest about my own body it is generally because I’m trying to avoid saying the word tits. I don’t like to draw attention to my upper torso, it already gets more attention than I prefer, but I may be weird.
Edit to add: I’m in my early 40s and I grew up in Southern California. I’ve since moved to the MidWest but my word usage was pretty set before I showed up here.
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Play your cards close to your vest.
So Cal, but born in America’s Dairyland. Old but not ancient.
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Midwest Currently. Former Texan and Greater NorthWest. Mid 40s
Heard both vest and chest, prefer “play”, “cards”, & “vest”
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#teamVest
but
“Breast your cards.”
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I think “keep your cards close to your tits” might be an improvement on the original phrase.
Also, I strongly dislike “play” because “playing” a card to me isn’t just holding the card in your hand, and often means putting the card face up on the table.
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Answers all over the place. I can’t draw any conclusions other than … seems like both are ok, not unusual to know of both or not know of both.
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Does it matter?
You just got to know when to fold 'em.
And know when to hold 'em.
Because sometimes nothing can be a cool hand.
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