Amazing how a short phrase begins to take on new meanings.
Years ago, going south meant taking a vacation south of where you live. So, if I’m in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a trip to Morden is "going south".
For years northern Canadians headed to the southern climes of the United States. The time period was anywhere up to six months in length (health care, pension and other considerations meant a return before a half year disappeared). Going south was an adventure.
Now when an idea, concept or activity is running into trouble, we claim that things are "going south". As though we slide downwards — south being the directions.
So, I’m spending hours (OK, minutes) thinking about where this phrase will go next. Maybe "going south" will relate to global warming. Or with plastic cards being our new money, hard cash comes from the north and the soft money of credit cards is "going south."
Any other thoughts?