"I'm gonna grab some rack time"
[Revise my English]
Hi there, I'm watching a movie and I came across this phrase:
- "I'm going to grab some rack time. I recommend you to do the same."
And just after that, the speaker takes a nap. The are traveling in a space shift and they are seated one next to the other shoulder to shoulder. (I enclose a picture).
I understand the colloquial use of grab as in grab a beer! or grab some time for yourself! isn't that correct? But I'm a bit lost with this rack thing.
Any insight and example would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
7 Answers
Rack time is extremely common to talk about for soldiers and sailors. We used it all the time when I was in the army, and I´ve heard it from sailor friends as well. In the military, we tend to speak both informally, and ironically, and ideally, both at the same time. The military, perhaps naturally, looks at both equipment and humans somewhat equally as resources. In English, we talk about equipment or parts being stored in racks or shelves. Then at some point, we began to talk about humans the same way, as being stored on shelves (or racks) when not ¨in use¨, and thus began the habit of humans sleeping being referred to as rack-time. We are essentially using the slang for ¨being stored or warehoused¨ as the language for sleeping. It is very common.
hth roger
Its a very common expression in the military. And so it is appropriate to space travellers as they are generally military or civilians attached to military. Rack probably originated for the use of cots and hammacks, but I'm not sure about that.
The rack - the bed or a place to sleep. Seems as if he's going to sleep while they are flying through space. It just means to take a rest and he suggests that it is an opportune time for the other person to also take a nap or a rest. I wonder if "rack" has an old reference for those traveling by ship or train. What comes to my mind is something with a slatted wooden shelf-type bed... so that may be where the original saying started?
Yes, we use the word "grab" to mean actually snatching something with your hands (I grabbed some chips before class) or just 'taking'... like grabbing a nap. So you can 'grab' some actual thing "I think I'll grab a bite to eat" or you can also grab something like a nap.
It means to do something quickly while you have time to do it.
I agree with the above. It's like saying, "Grab some shut eye." I don't know if you are familiar with that term, but it's used a lot meaning the same thing. "Grab a few winks" is another such phrase. It's talking about "rack time" and the rack is in reference to a bed, but just means sleep.
I myself have never heard of "rack" time. Maybe someone else uses it. I would say, "I'm going to grab some Zs, or "I am going to count sheep."
Sometimes if a phrase doesn't feel familiar in a science fiction movie, then it might be a made-up phrase. In movies about the future, the producer wants you to feel like you are in a different time. By hearing "futuristic slang" you will feel you are actually there.
"Hit the sack" is another way of saying "get some sleep" or "go to bed"
The origin is from when workers went from job to job with a sack of tools.
When the job was finished they had to go and find another one - they then used the sack as a pillow to sleep on.
Here is one from the Old West. Hit the hay, not to be confused with taking a roll in the hay. lol
