To “show someone the ropes” is an expression that began on sailing ships. The literal ropes are usually a metaphor in this common work expression, but there are bell ringer jokes.
“Always wanted to be a trainee bellringer, but there was no-one to show me the ropes” was posted on Twitter by Craig F on April 7, 2011. “I start my new job as an apprentice bell ringer later this morning… It’s my first day, so they’ll just be showing me the ropes” was posted on Twitter by The Dad Joke Man on February 23, 2020.
(Oxford English Dictionary)
to know the ropes: be experienced in or familiar with some customary action, practice, etc. Also in to learn (also understand) the ropes. Hence to show someone (also put someone up to) the ropes: to teach or explain to someone the customary ways of doing something.
1802 J. Skene Diary in Ital. Journey (1937) 127 I am a stranger and..I beg you to show me how I ought to proceed… You know the ropes and can give me good advice.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast ix. 74 The captain, who..‘knew the ropes’, took the steering oar.
1848 Blackwood’s Edinb. Mag. Dec. 747/2 He’s in my watch, and the captain wants him to rough it out; so show him the ropes, and let him taste an end now an’ then.
Twitter
Craig F
@Fims75
Replying to @TheGazette
@TheGazette Latest News: Bellringers out in force << Always wanted to be a trainee bellringer, but there was no-one to show me the ropes
9:50 AM · Apr 7, 2011·Twitter Web Client
Twitter
Annie
@AnnieWanKenobi
I was a bit lost & confused when I first started my job as a bell-ringer, but they soon showed me the ropes.
5:27 AM · Sep 23, 2011·Twitter for Android
Twitter
Annabel
@minearethoughts
“I went on work experience with a bell ringer, he showed me the ropes.”
4:05 PM · Mar 23, 2013·Twitter for Android
Twitter
Simon
@aletales_
Got a new job as a bell ringer..hope there is someone there to show me the ropes…
5:47 PM · Jun 17, 2013·Twitter for Android
Twitter
toffee
@toffee_tweeter
I start my new job tomorrow as a trainee bell ringer. I’m hoping someone will be there in the morning to show me the ropes.
4:46 PM · Nov 7, 2013·Twitter Web Client
Twitter
Fenster
@FensterDJ
I’m officially staying my job as a bell ringer next Sunday, but they brought me in today just to show me the ropes #1PUN
11:23 AM · Nov 30, 2014·TweetCaster for Android
Twitter
Ellen Gee White
@Ellen_Gee_White
As the new trainee bell ringer at church I’m hoping it won’t be long until someone shows me the ropes.
1:30 PM · Apr 20, 2016·Buffer
Twitter
Neil Wellington
@wildwellie
Got a new job, the old Bellringer is showing me the ropes. #1pun
3:18 AM · Feb 11, 2019 from South West, England·Twitter Web Client
Twitter
The Dad Joke Man
@DadJokeMan
I start my new job as an apprentice bell ringer later this morning…
It’s my first day, so they’ll just be showing me the ropes.
#SundayMorning
3:18 AM · Feb 23, 2020·Twitter for iPhone