Mind your own business…

[LizzieL]

Our version was " a wim wom for grinding smoke " Not heard of the second one.

My Yorkshire grandmother used that one.
My Berkshire grandfather used to say he had got to see a man about a dog when he was off to the pub.

[hanes teulu]

In response to being asked "Where are you going" or "Where have you been" my father's response would often be "Up Mike's".

[franh1946]

"What are you doing, Dad?"
"I'm making a wig wam for a goose's bridal (or bridle)"
In the 1950s.
franinoz

[Treetotal]

If we asked what we were having for tea, the answer was "Ifit"...meaning, if it goes round the table you get a bit.
If we asked when we would be getting something that was out of reach, Dad would say "When Nelson gets his eye back"
If I said that I was hungry, my Mother would say "I'm angry, let's fight"
If I asked my Father where he was going, he always said "There and back to see how far it is"
Carol

[coombs]

I got told by relatives "I gotta go and see a man about a dog" as a polite way of telling me to keep my nose out. That phrase is common, and is known in Australia, as sunny Aussie soap Home And Away had a character mention that phrase in 1994.

That is generally used by men to say they need the “ Gents”!
Viktoria.

My dad always said it was a polite way of "mind your own business". I was born in Norfolk to Essex parents.

[rayard]

Members of my family used "Wim wom for a wowser", is it just a Brummie expression?
rayard.

[Wellington66]

"See a man about a dog", remember that being a phrase for going to the bathroom!  I remember another one about Percy but perhaps I shouldn't add that?
If my children asked me where I was going when they were small it was always "There and back to see how far it is".  Used to really annoy them but that was 50 + years ago so I expect they see the funny side of it now!
Welly x

[DianaCanada]

If we asked what we were having for tea, the answer was "Ifit"...meaning, if it goes round the table you get a bit.
If we asked when we would be getting something that was out of reach, Dad would say "When Nelson gets his eye back"
If I said that I was hungry, my Mother would say "I'm angry, let's fight"
If I asked my Father where he was going, he always said "There and back to see how far it is"
Carol

My Lancashire-born father used to say the second and fourth sayings above.
When asked what was for a meal my mother from Sussex would say “bread and pullet”.  Another expression was “all round Jack’s mother’s” to describe a roundabout way of getting somewhere.
Also one of my father’s responses to what might be in the offing was “three jumps at the cupboard door”, never did understand what that meant!

[sparrett]

Well,

"What are you doing, Dad?"
"I'm making a wig wam for a goose's bridal (or bridle)"
In the 1950s.
franinoz

In Australia
That is exactly the version my father used when asked "What's that thing?"

"Seeing a man about a dog"
And "going to strain the spuds"
were both expressions used only by men, for visiting the bathroom.

Ladies went to "powder their nose" or "spend a penny" for the same visit

Sue