'Bunch of Fives'

Subject: 'Bunch of Fives'
From: GUEST,wcba
Date: 04 Apr 08 - 10:29 PM

Richard Thompson in "Tear Stained Letter" has the following lines, "It makes me nervous, it gives me the hives, like waiting for a kiss from a bunch of fives." Does anyone know what the "fives" refer to?

Subject: RE: 'Bunch of Fives'
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 04 Apr 08 - 10:51 PM

A clenched fist. I'd refer you to Five Hand Reel's recording "Bunch of Fives" for the interesting cover work, where the fist plays a role.

Subject: RE: 'Bunch of Fives'
From: gnomad
Date: 04 Apr 08 - 10:52 PM

Usual meaning of a "Bunch of Fives" in my area is a fist. Derivation I would imagine is from the five fingers (actually four, plus a thumb) that make a fist.

I haven't come across the phrase "a kiss from a bunch of fives", but I suppose that waiting to get thumped would tend to make one nervous.

Subject: RE: 'Bunch of Fives'
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 05 Apr 08 - 04:33 AM

It's always meant a punch in the face from a clenched fist, aka a 'knuckle sandwich.'

Subject: RE: 'Bunch of Fives'
From: dulcimerjohn
Date: 05 Apr 08 - 09:36 AM

have heard it on Britcoms, usually preceeded by 'how'd you like a ..'

Subject: RE: 'Bunch of Fives'
From: Flash Company
Date: 05 Apr 08 - 10:23 AM

Bunch of Fives was a punch on the nose, usually preceded by showing the fist and saying 'D'ya see this? It smells of dead men!'

FC