"Poop or Get Off the Pot" - Exploring the Origins of This Potty Phrase

We’ve all been there before. You’re sitting on the toilet, legs numb, browsing social media or playing games on your phone. You’ve been camped out in the bathroom so long that someone is banging on the door telling you to “poop or get off the pot!”

This colorful phrase is a rude way of telling someone to hurry up and make a decision or take action instead of wasting time. We’ve all been victim to a poop-staller who’s made us late for work or an event. And if you’re the one pulling a long potty session, you’ve likely had an angry family member try to shake your bowels loose.

In this post, we’ll explore the origins and meaning behind the saying “poop or get off the pot.” While it might sound vulgar and aggressive, there are times when we all need a push to stop dragging our feet and get a move on, whether it’s using the bathroom or making an important life decision.

Sometimes, we just need someone to give us a metaphorical toilet swirly by yelling “poop or get off the pot!” to get motivated. The phrase may sound harsh, but it serves as an urgent reminder to crap or get off the crapper.

So settle in on the throne as we trace the roots of this potty phrase. We’ll also provide some tips for curing chronic can-crastination. After all, when you gotta go, it’s best not to linger! Let’s dig in.

What Does “Poop or Get Off the Pot” Mean?

This phrase is a more vulgar version of the idiom “shit or get off the pot.” It means:

To make a decision
Take action
Stop procrastinating
Quit wasting time

It suggests that someone’s indecision or delay is inconveniencing others who are waiting around on that person’s choice or next move.

The saying implies, “Hurry up and decide or do what you need to do already so we can move on!” It pushes someone to commit one way or another.

Origins: A Brief History

The earliest printed usage of “shit or get off the pot” dates back to the mid-20th century.

One of the first appearances was in Frank Sullivan’s 1956 humor book “So You Think You Know Baseball?” He wrote:

“Either shit or get off the pot!” – Traditional

The phrase likely existed in spoken form long before making it into print. But the rude scatological language kept it confined to vulgar slang.

By the 1970s, the expression started appearing more regularly in books, magazines, movies, and newspapers as censorship standards relaxed.

Why “Poop” Instead of “Shit”?

The more family-friendly version “poop or get off the pot” arose for audiences where blunt profanity was unsuitable.

“Poop” provides the same meaning, swapping out “shit” for a milder slang word for human waste and feces. You’ll often find this variation used around children.

However, some still consider “poop or get off the pot” rude, since it originates from an offensive saying. Use discretion when choosing which version fits the situation and audience.

Examples of How the Phrase is Used

You’ll hear this idiom used in scenarios like:

Standing outside an occupied bathroom yelling, “Hurry up! Poop or get off the pot!”
A frustrated parent telling a dawdling child, “Decide if you want this toy or put it back; poop or get off the pot!”
A boss telling an employee who keeps going back and forth on a project, “Just pick a direction and go with it; shit or get off the pot!”
Someone fed up with a friend’s romantic indecision, saying, “Ask her out or move on already; shit or get off the pot!”

Any circumstance where someone is fed up with waiting around on another person’s pending decision or action warrants this impolite phrase.

Why People Say “Poop or Get Off the Pot”

So why do people resort to using this rude idiom? There are times when we lose patience and want to urge someone to speed up their decision-making for various reasons:

1. Their indecision is inconvenient

When we have to wait on someone else’s choices before acting, their dithering directly affects us. This makes people resentful and susceptible to losing their cool.

2. We feel their procrastination is unnecessary

From the outside, it may seem obvious what the person should do, making their delay seem absurd and self-indulgent.

3. We think they are avoiding responsibility

Putting off a decision allows someone to evade responsibility. This can provoke others who feel that person is being immature or cowardly.

4. We believe they are attention-seeking

Some people perceive prolonged indecision as a ploy for attention or sympathy, breeding resentment in those eager for resolution.

5. We want to seize control

Issuing an ultimatum lets someone impose their will on the situation, seizing power from the indecisive counterpart.

So in summary, yelling “poop or get off the pot” expresses anger and control issues more than anything else.

Why “Poop or Get Off the Pot” is Considered Rude

Though the motive is understandable, shouting this phrase is considered inappropriate for several reasons:

It’s aggressive and demanding – The wording is hostile, allowing no room for discussion.
It’s impatient – Big decisions take time. Forcing closure may undermine the outcome.
It’s demeaning – Belittling someone’s process prevents mutual understanding.
It’s unfair – We rarely know someone’s full story. Judging their pace is unempathetic.
It’s counterproductive – Added pressure is more likely to delay progress than expedite it.

The bottom line is shouting “poop or get off the pot” reflects anger more than a desire to help. Patience and empathy almost always work better.

When Procrastination Crosses the Line

However, we all reach our limit when someone else’s feet-dragging significantly affects our life. At some point, it’s fair to speak up.

If a loved one’s chronic indecision consistently lets you down, have an honest heart-to-heart. Avoid ultimatums. Instead:

Express your needs – Explain how their delays negatively impact you.
Offer support – Ask how you can help them decide faster.
Set boundaries – Clarify what you won’t tolerate going forward.
Suggest options – Propose compromises like timelines or deadlines.

The goal is addressing the stagnation without attacking their process. With compassion yet firmness, most loved ones will respond.

But when all else fails, professional counseling may provide an outside perspective to break paralyzing patterns.

Tips to Decide Faster Yourself

Maybe someone’s hurled “poop or get off the pot” at you before. If you struggle with chronically prolonging decisions:

Pinpoint your hesitations – Is it anxiety? Perfectionism? Lack of confidence? Dig into the emotional barriers.
Determine must-haves – Decide what’s essential to you before considering options. This simplifies weighing pros and cons.
Set a deadline – Give yourself a firm date for reaching a conclusion. Enlist someone to hold you accountable.
List pros and cons – Write out all the positives and negatives of your options side-by-side. Looking at the full picture often provides clarity.
Trust your gut – Go with your instincts if the logical data points in both directions.
Decide something – Ambivalence becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Just get moving in some direction rather than remaining paralyzed.

With practice, you can overcome analysis paralysis. But give yourself grace – changing entrenched mental patterns takes time and effort.

When to Use This Phrase (Or Not)

Because “poop or get off the pot” is inherently aggressive, consider these guidelines on when to avoid or cautiously employ it:

Don’t use it with sensitive people – They will only feel shamed.
Don’t use it with strangers – It’s unnecessarily rude.
Don’t use it with kids – Sets a bad example and could cause psychological harm.
Don’t use it impulsively – Count to 10 first; anger is rarely constructive.
Do use it sparingly with very close friends/family – Those who know you extremely well may understand you’ve reached an extreme point of frustration.
Do use it lightly and jokingly – A playful, goading tone comes across less hostile.

Even close loved ones probably prefer you skip the vulgarities and express impatience in more polite terms, if possible.

In Summary…

Sometimes when we’re fed up waiting for action, we blurt out “poop or get off the pot!” This sends a forceful message for someone to quit wasting time and decide already. But, while the motive is understandable, the phrase itself is perceived as rude and aggressive. With sensitive delivery, it’s better to explain how delays affect you and offer help making progress. Admittedly, we all need a kick in the pants sometimes. But whenever possible, kindness and patience go much further, whether dealing with a poop procrastinator or any struggle to decide.

So next time you feel that urge to bang on the bathroom door and yell vulgarities, take a deep breath and remind yourself that good things come to those who wait. Hopefully, you’ll get relief from the stall squatter soon enough!