Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Ten Sayings and Their Strange Origins-- Part 2

5.  BITE THE BULLET--  In the 1850s, the British Army used Enfield Rifles, whose cartridges would have to bitten in two to pour the gunpowder into the barrel.  Actually, during the Civil War, one of the few physical things a soldier had to pass was having good teeth and the ability to bite the bullet.

4.  BLOW HOT AND COLD--  Changing one's opinions.  From Aesop's Fables.

3.  BREAK A LEG--  actors are superstitious and this is actually wishing good luck and success.

2.  BURY THE HATCHET--  Indians when doing treaties would bury their weapons as an act of faith.

1.  BY HOOK OR CROOK--  Reaching one's goal by fair or foul play.  Back when the British Royals had all the powere, they owned forests and gathering firewood in them by common folk was a crime unless you were poor.  No one was allowed to cut off branches, but the poor could gather firewood on the ground or that had died on trees.  To do this they could either use a hook or a crook implement.

Now, You Know.  --DaCoot

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