Pass the Carrots

One time at dinner, we were making light hearted conversation. I think it was turning into a sarcastic jab fest at one another at the table. The banter turned to teasing Dad. Dad did not respond, he pointed with his whole hand and just said," Pass the carrots". Nobody did. We just kept at the ribbing. Again, Dad responded with pointing his hand down the table and said again, "Pass the carrots." A third time it happened with Dad muttering loudly, "Pass the carrots." At this point the participants at the table began to realize this was an elaborate way to say "No comment" and change the subject. Thus the phrase "Pass the carrots" became a way of avoiding an answer without actually saying "I'm not answering that!"