Better Than a Poke in the Eye with a Sharp Stick

I grew up hearing these words. They were supposed to be a comfort for a scrapped knee, bonked head, or hair pulled by a grumpy sister. 

It was the response to complaints about dinner, movie choice, or uncomfortable car rides. 

Variations also occurred. It came about during playful teasing: "I'm going to poke you in the eye with a sharp stick!" when somebody actually found a sharp stick: "Hey hold still so I can poke you with this!" when someone didn't want to wake up: "I could poke you in the eye with a sharp stick, that would get you out of bed." Although never serious, these threats are scattered across my childhood. Morbid? Maybe. But it's better than a real poke in the eye with a sharp stick.