Here are just a few of the possible and/or probable derivations of some of our favourite expressions, each with an animal focus. Being a quite quirky subject, it seems apt to begin at the end... of Life, that is... with 'Kick the Bucket'.
It seems quite bizarre to attach this expression to death - until we learn that the word 'bucket' is from the Old French for the slaughter beam (usually in a shed), used to hang up a live animal (usually a pig), for slaughter. In its death throes, the unlucky creature would jerk and kick at the beam (or bucket), obviously leading to the expression, to 'Kick the Bucket'. Another potential origin comes from the fact that many a suicide has been achieved by hanging - after standing on a bucket that was subsequently kicked out, thus granting the poor soul his wish to end it all, or 'Kick the Bucket'.
An after-death experience of the animal kind is encountered when we give someone 'The Cold Shoulder'. We clearly know... and show, our disdain or unwelcoming feelings, as described by this expression, but what does it really mean? It's not hard to understand that it is indeed a hospitality issue, BUT - when a normally generous and gregarious host served his guest cold mutton in lieu of the luscious hot roast he was anticipating, said guest was actually being given the strongest message possible that he was either -
a) an uninvited and unexpected dinner guest, or
b) had seriously overstayed his welcome.
In middle-class 19th century, this was the most gentlemanly way of bidding farewell to this ill- mannered person - permanently!
Staying with this end of Life, we take a penetrating look at the real status of all things - 'From the Horse's Mouth'. And we unquestioningly accept that this expression indicates it's the Gospel truth - no doubt because of its origins, exactly suggested by its title.
When a horse was Man's main means of transport, the horse's age and health were crucial to establish and be able to verify... at the moment of purchase. You see, a horse's teeth are an encyclopædia of answers to these questions, to the discerning buyer - and it was accepted, indeed expected, that he would definitely get the facts 'From the Horse's Mouth'.
The only exception to this particular rule was if the horse was in fact, a gift - at which time it would be exceptionally bad manners and quite insensitive to 'Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth'.
Few of us would suspect that the expression 'A Nine Days' Wonder' could have anything to do with the beginning of Life - especially animal - and specifically dogs! It was widely accepted as having started with a proverb that -
'A wonder last nine days - and then the puppies eyes are open' -
and this was bolstered by the actuality that new-born puppies have unfocused vision for the first nine days of their lives - and must surely wonder at this new and wonderful world they now inhabit, but can't see.
Translate this to the human experience of being initially bedazzled and bewitched by something wondrous and new - only to see through the 'Wow' factor, as reality takes its place, and teaches us it was but 'A Nine Days' Wonder'.
Certainly we know that when we 'Let the Cat Out of the Bag', we give away a secret, or let slip an important fact - but why would we have a cat in our bag to start with? Well-ll-ll... many years ago, at country markets, live piglets could be on offer, discounted if bought 'pre-packaged' in a well-tied hessian sack, commonly called a 'poke' - hence buying 'A Pig in a Poke' (or not knowing exactly what was inside the sack).
The capable and responsible housewife didn't usually worry about this, instead embracing this choice due to freshness issues, being able to feel the 'actual' weight... AND... the relative ease of carrying it home with her other shopping.
Sadly, unscrupulous traders have existed almost since time began - and on occasions, a stray cat would magically find itself tied securely inside the bag, only to be passed off as a piglet! Some canny purchasers had learned this lesson the hard way previously, and chose to untie the sack for a peek, only to - 'Let the Cat Out of the Bag'.
Clearly, it is of utmost importance to 'start from scratch', 'get to the nitty-gritty' of the matter, even when it's 'touch and go', by 'throwing them off the scent', in order to 'blaze a trail' 'between the devil and the deep blue sea', and simply 'win hands down'.
Confused by these last expressions? Stay tuned for more delightful definitions of these and other delusional idioms - coming your way soon! Uh-oh... didn't I tell you, I play with words, too!
© 2012 Christine Larsen All Rights Reserved Worldwide
If you enjoyed this, and wish to learn more actual meanings of some of our most commonly used idioms, watch out for my other article/s with the title 'Wacky Words of Wisdom...'
As soon as they are written and published, I'll provide links here.
Enjoy!
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