Kick Rocks – Meaning, Origin and Usage

Are you looking for a way to tell someone to stop talking and get out of your sight? You could tell them to go “kick rocks” and bother someone else. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.

Meaning

The expression “kick rocks” is an insult directed at someone else. The person could be trying to get your attention on something you find pointless, or they could be trying to scam you and waste your time.

By telling them to “kick rocks,” you say they should rather waste their time than yours by doing a useless activity.

The phrase can have sarcastic use and a connotation of contempt, depending on the scenario and the speaker's use of time in their response.

Example Usage

“I don’t care what you want me to do. You can go kick rocks for all I care. I’m leaving in twenty minutes, and I don’t have the time for that right now.”

“I don’t care if you want me to do that. It’s outside of my job description, and you can go kick rocks.”

“Go kick rocks. Do you think I’m stupid enough to fall for that? You must think I’m some type of idiot that’s just going to hand over my cash.”

“You can go kick rocks. That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard, and if you do that, someone’s going to get hurt, guaranteed.”

“Kicks rocks, you can’t tell me what to do, and you’re not the boss of me. If I say no, it means no, and you can do nothing about it.”

“Listen, kid, go kick rocks or something. We don’t have time to listen to your spiel right now. We’re waiting on something important.”

Just tell them to go kick rocks. We can’t afford to waste our money on these silly purchases right now. I mean, who’s buying a timeshare in this economy?”

Origin

Language experts are unsure when the term "kick rocks" entered English. The term has disputed origins. Some think it comes from the times of the "Great Depression," when impoverished children would kick rocks around to pass the time. It's a similar expression to "kick the can down the road," which was also a popular kids' game at the time.

However, there is no evidence of the phrase's origin coining from this era. There are no written records of the saying appearing before 2000. However, experts are certain it was in use well before 2000.

Other experts believe it has origins in the US penitentiary system. The term "kick rocks" refers to being by yourself and comfortable with being alone when you're in jail.

Phrases Similar to Kick Rocks

  • Piss off.
  • Buzz off.
  • Never darken my door again.
  • Get out of here.

Phrases Opposite to Kick Rocks

  • Sure, no problem.
  • I can do that.
  • Whatever it takes.

What is the Correct Saying?

  • Kick rocks.

Ways People May Say Kick Rocks Incorrectly

The phrase doesn’t have a literal meaning, and you’re not asking the person to go and kick rocks outside. It’s a way of telling someone that they need to stop talking nonsense to you. It’s also a way of telling someone to leave your presence, or you might react violently or aggressively.

Acceptable Ways to Phrase Kick Rocks

You can use the expression “kick rocks” when telling someone to go away. You’re telling them you don’t want anything to do with what they are telling you or proposing. It’s another way of telling people to get out of your sight, or you’re going to lose your temper. The phrase suits social and professional use.

You can use it to tell someone to go away after pitching you a scam that you want nothing to do with. You could use it at work after a colleague asks you to do a meaningless task outside of your job description. It’s a way of telling somebody that you want nothing to do with them and that they should leave your presence immediately.

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