EVEN MORE ORIGINS OF SAYINGS
In case yesterday's re-run wasn't enough
In case yesterday's re-run wasn't enough
Those
strange sayings, we use them all the time, but where do they come from? Strange but true, here are the origins of
common phrases we use every day:
Break a leg
Meaning: Wish an actor good luck.
Origin: To bend or break one’s leg was an
archaic phrase for taking a bow. In the
theater a successful performance means taking a curtain call bow, so “Break a
leg” is to wish an actor a successful performance.
A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning: A little precaution saves time in
the long run.
Origin: To stitch a hem before it unravels
will save many more stitches in the future.
This phrase makes very little sense to Germans.
He’s an Old Fogey
Meaning: He’s a doddering idiot.
Origin: The Fogey’s were a clan in County
Limerick that succumbed to dementia.
When a person could not remember something he was dismissed as just an
“Old Fogey.”
Get outta the fucking car
Meaning: Police jargon for “Sir, please exit
your vehicle.”
Origin: First used when Rodney King did not
understand “Please,” “Exit,” or “Vehicle.”
There’s plenty of fish in the sea
Meaning: There are more women available after
a man loses a girlfriend.
Origin: When a fisherman loses a catch he
dismisses his loss with the assurance that there are plenty of fish in the
sea. The expression extended to losing a
lady friend. What they neglect to consider
is many of the fish in the sea are butt ugly, some will bite your arm off, and
some will take half of your 401K.
Two wrongs don’t make a right*
Meaning: Retaliation of a wrong doing will
not make things better.
Origin: In 1880, two Chinese inventors attempted to develop the incandescent bulb. Chi Long and Chow Long failed and finally gave up on the dream. Americans mis-interpreted a Japanese statement of this fact as a philosophical saying.
Origin: In 1880, two Chinese inventors attempted to develop the incandescent bulb. Chi Long and Chow Long failed and finally gave up on the dream. Americans mis-interpreted a Japanese statement of this fact as a philosophical saying.
Objects in the mirror are closer than
they appear
Meaning: Don’t trust your passenger side car
mirror.
Origin: Henry Ford, after a few beers, said
to the guy on the next stool, “They liked my assembly line idea, now I’m going
to fuck with them!”
Are you pulling my leg?
Meaning: I think you are trying to fool
me.
Origin: In medieval times, old men would ask
children to pull on their leg and they would then fart. When a story seemed to “smell funny” someone
would call it’s veracity in question by asking “are you pulling my leg?”
I before E except after C or sounds
like ay…
Meaning: A spelling rule.
Origin: There used to be only three “ie”
words in the English language, believe, receive, and neighbor. This rule is currently useless.
GO USA! I believe...I believe that we will win!
*This one is for you Frog.
go, crankmaster!
ReplyDelete"*This one is for you Frog."
ReplyDeleteIs that Flog in Japanese?
I'm learning so many things here. I'm not sure they will assist me with anything of importance but I'm loading up the gray matter.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day. ☺
I think you are pulling our legs. :-)
ReplyDeletePearl
Last time I wondered, Pearl. This time I know.
ReplyDeleteI believe pearl is right my friend. At least on part if these. Makes for a heck of a good read though
ReplyDeleteLove it! I'm scratching my head trying to think of more.
ReplyDeleteWhat I learned from this post is that the only difference between women and fish is that fish will only take half your 401K if you spend your life trying to catch them. Women will take it when you do catch them.
ReplyDeleteI learned the spelling rule from my kids.
ReplyDeleteI thought that the fish were supposed to be men.
Pretty soon you're gonna find yourself behind the 8 ball
ReplyDeleteI will take your word for it. You haven't steered me wrong yet.
ReplyDeleteAmerican spelling rules are weird. Let me seize the opportunity and talk about foreign, caffeine, feisty, their, and vein.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's right...you did say it was a useless rule.
"A stitch in time saves nine"
ReplyDeletewhy wouldn't this make sense to Germans?
I'm German born and have always mended things before major repairs became necessary. Learned that from my German parents.
That is apparently a failed play on words with nein in German meaning no or nothing.
Delete