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
Showing posts with label Sayings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sayings. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Ten Sayings and Their Strange Origins-- Part 1
From August 15, 2010, Listverse.
10.. ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID, NEVER A BRIDE-- Actually a 1920s Listerine ad. Girls, if you have bad breath, you "ain't" never gonna get married.
9. BARK UP THE WRONG TREE-- From hunting, especially for raccoons. When dogs would make a mistake and be barking that the raccoon was up in a wrong tree.
8. BE ON 'GOOD FOOTING"-- Back in the day, it was the custom of a new apprentice after his first day of work to take out his fellow workers for drinks and foot the bill.
7. BEAT AROUND THE BUSH-- Another hunting term. Boars, when hunted, would often hide in heavy brush. Hunters had beaters to flush them out, but fearing those formidable tusks, they would often just hit the bushes around the outside of the heavy brush.
6. BEST FOOT FORWARD-- When one is trying to make a good impression. This comes from the ancient belief that left is sinister and right is good. So, when meeting someone, best to have your right foot forward.
Five More to Come. --Cooter
10.. ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID, NEVER A BRIDE-- Actually a 1920s Listerine ad. Girls, if you have bad breath, you "ain't" never gonna get married.
9. BARK UP THE WRONG TREE-- From hunting, especially for raccoons. When dogs would make a mistake and be barking that the raccoon was up in a wrong tree.
8. BE ON 'GOOD FOOTING"-- Back in the day, it was the custom of a new apprentice after his first day of work to take out his fellow workers for drinks and foot the bill.
7. BEAT AROUND THE BUSH-- Another hunting term. Boars, when hunted, would often hide in heavy brush. Hunters had beaters to flush them out, but fearing those formidable tusks, they would often just hit the bushes around the outside of the heavy brush.
6. BEST FOOT FORWARD-- When one is trying to make a good impression. This comes from the ancient belief that left is sinister and right is good. So, when meeting someone, best to have your right foot forward.
Five More to Come. --Cooter
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