Posted by Ed Kiser on November 23, 2006 at 02:35:32 from 64.12.116.6 user Kisered.
In CC, CH25, the TEASEL finds itself suddenly covered in the fog. They need to get back to the river to meet Tom who is picking up supplies and plans to meet them. The fog has complicated this plan. Starboard is at the tiller, trying to steer when she cannot see anything, except the occasional post sticking out of the water. Port advises her sister:
"Leave the post to starboard," said Port.
"Teach your grandmother," said her sister.
The implication of this expression is that she is being told something that she already is quite well aware of, so the suggestion is really of no help at all to her efforts in navigating in the fog.
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In ML, CH26, they are trying to escape by sailing in the dark with Missee Lee's junk she provided for them, but dodging moored junks in the river in the dark is very difficult for Captain Flint at the tiller. Nancy is trying to be helpful when she suggests to the helmsman:
"Look out!" said Nancy, "we're going to be into that junk!"
"Teach your grandmother," said Captain Flint.
Again the implication is that he is being told something he already was aware of.
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In WH, CH 7, Peggy is navigating the rowboat by herself, struggling to get to the mooring at Holly Howe in spite of the accumulation of ice, expecially near the shore. She was using the butt end of the oar like a pike, driving it down hard to break up the ice so she could move forward. Titty is trying to be helpful, by offering Peggy some advice:
"Don't fall in," shouted Titty.
"Teach your grandmother," came from the boat, but Peggy did not even look up as she said it.
Same implication as in the previous two examples.
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I have not heard of this particular response before reading Ransome. Is this something rather common, or is this just an expression of Ransome's that he gives to his characters?
Ed Kiser, Kentucky