MovieChat Forums > Every Which Way But Loose (1978) Discussion > What does the title mean?

What does the title mean?

posted 18 years ago by Karl Self
6 replies | jump to latest

What's the meaning of the phrase "every which way but loose" -- decidely unloose?
And why did they choose it for film title?
Thanks!

[–] herbie1614 18 years ago

bump. i have no idea either

[–] Karl Self 18 years ago

Don't worry, Herb. We're in this together.

[–] tdf5g 18 years ago

It's like the song of the same title, his girl friend turns him upside down, inside out, over and under, etc, whatever. She turns him all these ways but loose.

[–] Karl Self 18 years ago

I didn't know that song, see. Thanks, TD!

[–] grantmollett 17 years ago

Yah, it probably has to do with how Lynn Halsey Taylor treats the relationship with Philo. Besides, the song is kick ass...it's called Every Which Way But Loose by Eddie Rabbit.

[–] LukeCoolHand 12 years ago

It is a term I heard many times in my old bar room days. When a redneck wanted to whip your ass, he would say something like, "boy I'm going to turn you every which way but loose" which meant he intended to whip your ass and not let you go until he was finished.