Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

onajurni t1_jdrvfbb wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#2,373,137)

My guess as well.

If someone actually said that in my hearing, I'd be trying to figure out what they meant by the context of the conversation.

Actually ... "daisies won't tell" is not an expression, I don't think ... or at least not where I'm from or have lived.

1

onajurni t1_jdrvus0 wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#2,373,028)

This is the only other explanation that would occur to me as well.

Also that a daisies won't tell if the game ended up on "loves me" or on "loves me not".

However, the phrase is a bit awkward for this explanation because OP has it "daisies won't tell", but the game is played with only one daisy. Although I suppose you could play the game with multiple daisies to see if the answer changed, or for multiple names, or multiple people playing the game, or something. I think the context of the conversation would be needed.

1

outofmemory01 t1_jdrz3g7 wrote

What it 'means' I'm uncertain.
To me, it's her way of saying "I LOVE YOU".
I believe it's in reference to a song.
It's about a girl picking flowers dreaming of the one she loves.

https://www.answers.com/Q/Where_did_the_expression_daisies_don't_tell_come_from

Daisies Won't Tell

Anita Owen Document Type Score

Publication Date 1908

Comments MacIntosh Collection

New York : Jerome H. Remick & Co., c1908.

Some of these resources may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials should be seen in the context of the time period and as a reflection of attitudes of the time. The items are part of the historical record, and do not represent the views of the library or the institution.

Lyrics [Verse 1]
There’s a sweet old story
You have heard before
Here among the daisies
Let me tell it o’er;
Only say you love me,
For I love you well,
Answer with a kiss, dear,
Daises never tell.

[Refrain]
Daisies won’t tell, dear,
Come kiss me do,
Tell me you love me,
Say you’ll be true,
And I will promise
Always to be
Tender and faithful,
Sweetheart, to thee

[Verse 2]
In a dream I fancied
You were by my side.
While I gathered daisies
One long chain you tied,
‘Round us both I wound it,
Close I held you, too,
Daisies never tell, dear,
Make that dream come true.

[Chorus]

Owen, Anita, "Daisies Won't Tell" (1908). Historic Sheet Music Collection. 1349.
https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/sheetmusic/1349

Since July 19, 2016

PLUMX METRICS SHARE The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.

Other reading/research here too. https://www.answers.com/Q/Where_did_the_expression_daisies_don't_tell_come_from

15

grae23 t1_jdrzf8z wrote

I have a feelings it's something along the lines of "once daisies are growing over their grave they'll tell no secrets".

Basically "bitch is dead, tf is she gonna do? Snitch?"

−5

Hanifsefu t1_jds1zd5 wrote

Replying to outofmemory01 (#2,375,021)

You're missing the important context of the "she love me/she loves me not" game. People pluck the petals off of daisies and whatever it ends on is how the person you're daydreaming about feels about you.

The first 3 lines are a direct reference to the classic custom. "Daisies never tell" is her response to that game and her desire for her love to take action rather than continue to daydream and wonder.

4

StickOnReddit t1_jds2qta wrote

Replying to Hanifsefu (#2,375,364)

Yeah this sounds right to me too. They want an answer, not a gesture open to interpretation.

"Daisies never tell" feels like the sort of response you give when someone is splashing out on a friend, acting like they're a couple perhaps but never saying it and certainly not outwardly committing to it. I can open doors for you, take you out, buy you flowers (daisies), but if I don't say or act like we're dating, are we?

1

homelessdreamer t1_jds5jq1 wrote

Replying to PickleFlaps (#2,375,102)

This right here is fascinating. I would not have called that. My speculation was similar to others in this thread that it was a combo of "pushing up daisies" and "dead men tell no tales." This is so much more wholesome and sweet. Most the time it feels like the world is significantly worse than I can imagine. So it is nice to be corrected and have it be more positive.

9

Ipride362 t1_jds5nq2 wrote

“Pushing up daisies” is an old phrase meaning buried.

“Dead men tell no tales.”

“Daisies tell no tales.”

−1

Sismal_Dystem t1_jdsf559 wrote

He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me. He loves me not. While pulling petals from a daisy. The daisies won't tell.

1

dingus-khan-1208 t1_jdsg207 wrote

Replying to outofmemory01 (#2,375,021)

There's another one from 5 years later in 1913: https://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/a/alwaystakeagirlnameddaisy.html

ALWAYS TAKE A GIRL NAMED DAISY ('CAUSE DAISIES WON'T TELL) (Music: George W. Meyer / Lyrics: Alfred Bryan & Sam M. Lewis)

Jimmie Hodges - 1913 Albert Campbell & Henry Burr - 1913

Handsome Harry, handsome Harry Thomas
He was sued, yes, sued for breach of promise
He took Mary walking through the dell
And said, "Now don't you dare to tell"

Mary went right home and told her mother
Ma told Pa and Pa then told her brother
Brother told the preacher
And the preacher went and tolled a wedding bell

Never take a walk with Mary
Never take a walk with Sue 
Never take a walk with Maude or Carrie
That's the kind of girl you'll have to marry

If you take a girl out walking
Down a little shady dell
Always take a girl named Daisy 
'Cause daisies won't tell 

Harry's married life was pure and simple
Till he met a girlie with a dimple 
She said, "Dear, I'm not acquainted here 
I just came down from Beaver Fall"

Harry winked and said, "Why silk and satin
To this girl would be like Greek and Latin"
Harry felt like fainting 
When he missed his little dollar Ingersol

Never take a walk with Mary
Never take a walk with Sue 
Never take a walk with Maude or Carrie
That's the kind of girl you'll have to marry

If you take a girl out walking
Down a little shady dell
Always take a girl named Daisy 
'Cause daisies won't tell

That one's clearly not quite as innocent.

So I would guess that it was a phrase from the time when casual sex and premarital sex simply were not socially acceptable, and even being alone with someone of the opposite gender had implications. So people would sneak off and meet up in a field somewhere where they thought no one would see them together and tell.

But that's just a guess based on those two songs.

2

explainlikeimfive-ModTeam t1_jdv93gx wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#2,374,880)

Please read this entire message

Your comment has been removed for the following reason(s):

  • ELI5 does not allow guessing.

Although we recognize many guesses are made in good faith, if you aren’t sure how to explain please don't just guess. The entire comment should not be an educated guess, but if you have an educated guess about a portion of the topic please make it explicitly clear that you do not know absolutely, and clarify which parts of the explanation you're sure of (Rule 8).

If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the detailed rules first. If you believe it was removed erroneously, explain why using this form and we will review your submission.

1