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Top Shelf - When did the meaning change?

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Xipe Totec Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 04:40 PM
Original message
Top Shelf - When did the meaning change?
People are using top shelf to mean "the best"; as a synonym for top notch.

I seem to recall that top shelf meant the stuff that was not good enough to use regularly, but you hated to throw out because you spent too much on it.

Top shelf software was software you bought, used once, and un-installed from your computer.

So is "top shelf" the new Irregardless?

:shrug:
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warrior1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 04:48 PM
Response to Original message
1. I thought you were talking about this
Edited on Sat Jan-26-08 04:48 PM by warrior1
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Xipe Totec Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 04:56 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. Is that the name of that drink?
Looks like a margarita.
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darkstar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 05:06 PM
Response to Reply #2
6. I actually thinks this is where it stems from
I.e., that is a margarita, but lots of restaurants offer drinks made with premium liquors. They call them "top shelf" b/c in bars the liquors that are more expensive are stored on higher shelves b/c they need to be reached for less frequently, i.e an ergonomic savings thing.

So I suppose by extension, a premium quality "anything" might be considered "top shelf"? :shrug:
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hisownpetard Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #6
11. That's what I heard, too.
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Kutjara Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 05:02 PM
Response to Original message
3. Then, of course, there's...
..."top shelf literature," meaning the kind of magazines one typically reads one-handed.
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Xipe Totec Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 05:09 PM
Response to Reply #3
7. Wouldn't you see it better on the middle shelf?
:evilgrin:
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MilesColtrane Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 05:04 PM
Response to Original message
4. Top shelf liquors are the ones displayed behind the bar.
Well liquor, on the other hand, is kept underneath the bar and it is poured when someone doesn't designate what brand of booze they want in their cocktail. It is usually cheaper than the liquor on the top shelf.

Hence the meaning of "best".
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Xipe Totec Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 05:14 PM
Response to Reply #4
9. Looks like I'm getting an edjumacation...
Never heard of it in that context until now.

Thanks! :hi:
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lost-in-nj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 05:06 PM
Response to Original message
5. I have always heard of liquor
referred to as "top shelf"
In the bars it was literal.. you only got it if you asked for it and thats assuming you knew it was there..

Johnnie Walker Blue or Black
Crown Royal
Cristal

that stuff is all top shelf


lost
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Xipe Totec Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 05:11 PM
Response to Reply #5
8. Yea, I can see that
I guess it depends on your background, bars or general stores.

:hide:
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Oeditpus Rex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 05:21 PM
Response to Original message
10. Top hole!
Bally Jerry pranged his kite right in the how's-your-father! Harry blighter dickie-birdied, feathered back on his sammie, took a waspie, flipped over on his betty harpers and caught his can in the bertie!
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GreenPartyVoter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 05:52 PM
Response to Reply #10
12. Teehee! :^D
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TheMightyFavog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 07:07 PM
Response to Original message
13. There's another definition of "Top Shelf"
WARNING! Do not click this link if you are sickened or disgusted easily.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=top+shelf
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Xipe Totec Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 07:14 PM
Response to Reply #13
14. You are definitely NOT invited to my parties....
I want my toilet to smell lemony fresh!
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TheMightyFavog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-26-08 08:07 PM
Response to Reply #14
15. Don't worry, I'd never do something like this.
Edited on Sat Jan-26-08 08:07 PM by JonathanChance
IIRC, I first heard about it on Fark.
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