"....as far away as Timbuktu."
This is a phrase I've known all my life, but I'm curious as to what it means! Now my daughter wants to know, also. I don't know what to tell her! Help, please!

I use to tell my mom I was looking forward to her sending me to Timbuktu

Basically it just means to send as far away as possible.

Timbuktu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbuktu)
You may find this interesting reading.

You said you were curious to what it meant I told you what it meant
You didn't say you wanted to know the history and origin or I would have found a link

History Channel - UNESCO (http://www.history.com/classroom/unesco/timbuktu.html)

I'm sorry I didn't mean it in a mean way... I wasn't trying to be rude... :(

I know you weren't trying to mean I was just pointing out that if you don't specify then you can expect any kind of answer from a one sentence answer to an elaborated detailed one with links.

OK.

It means a lot of things but mainly one wants to remove themselves as far away as they can from a situation

2008 thread - please keep an eye on the dates when you respond.