Orgins of Expressions (NOT MINE)

>> In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. >> One's image was either >> sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George >> Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back >> while others showed both legs and both arms. Prices charged by painters >> were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many >> limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are "limbs" therefore >> painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression "Okay, but it'll >> cost you an arm and a leg," >> ****************************************************** >> >> As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths >> only twice a year! (May & October) Women always kept their hair covered >> while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore >> wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs. The wigs couldn't be washed so to >> clean them, they could carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell >> and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, >> hence the term "big wig." Today we often use the term "here comes the >> Big Wig" because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy. >> ****************************************************** >> In the late 1700s many houses consisted of a large room with only one >> chair. Commonly, a long wide board was folded down from the wall and >> used for dining. The "head of the household" always sat in the chair while >> everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Once in a while an invited guest would be offered to sit in this chair during a meal whom was >> almost always a man. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in >> charge. Sitting in the chair, one was called the "chair >> man." Today in business we use the expression/title "Chairman," >> ****************************************************** >> >> Needless to say, personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a >> result, many women and men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The >> women would spread bee's wax over their facial skin to smooth out their >> complexions. When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to >> stare at another woman's face she was told "mind your own bee's wax," >> Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term "crack a >> smile." Also, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt >> and therefore the expression "losing face," >> ****************************************************** >> >> Ladies wore corsets which would lace up in the front. A tightly tied >> lace was worn by a proper and dignified lady as in "straight laced," >> ****************************************************** >> >> Common entertainment included playing cards. However, there was a tax >> levied when purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the "ace of >> spades." To avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards >> instead. Yet, since most games require 52 cards, these people >> were thought to be stupid or dumb because they weren't "playing with a >> full deck." >> ****************************************************** >> >> Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what >> was considered important to the people. Since there were no telephones, TV's >> or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs >> and bars who were told to "go sip some ale" and listen to people's >> conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at >> different times . "you go sip here" and "you go sip there." The two >> words "go sip" were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion >> and thus, we have the term "gossip." >> ****************************************************** >> >> At local taverns, pubs and bars, people drank from >> pint and quart sized containers. A bar maid's job was to keep an eye on >> the customers and keep the drinks coming. She had to pay close attention >> and remember who was drinking in "pints" and who was drinking in >> "quarts." Hence the term "minding your "'P's and Q's.