Comments on: The Curious Origins of 9 Delicious Phrases

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:25:37 +0000

Ahh, linguistic just-so stories. Love them. Almost never true, but they sure are fun.

By: Jerad

Jerad — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:54:00 +0000

One that I’ve tried to find the history of, and failed was “cheese it” any enlightenment on the etymology of that would be gratefully accepted. But, if not, this rock s as well.

By: E to the M

E to the M — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:28:55 +0000

A lesson in physics never saved me. We lived in Mississippi at the time and when I had to pick a switch it came from the willow tree…

By: Michael Boyton

Michael Boyton — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:09:29 +0000

Re: Bringing Home the Bacon.

You may be delighted to know that the Dunmow Flitch trials still take place, the next one in 2008. The applications from suitably blissfully wed couples have just started to be accepted by the Flitch Committee.
Michael Boyton, journalist, Dunmow Broadcast, Breat Dunmow, Essex, UK.

By: Bassman

Bassman — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 12:37:39 +0000

I love the stories behind idioms, but what are your sources? Are you sure of the accuracy?

The last time my dad hit me, he punched me in the jaw.

By: cpowell

cpowell — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:20:52 +0000

If having gotten a spanking with a “switch” or belt is the worst issue you have had to deal with then you have led a charmed life indeed.

By: sandy

sandy — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 03:38:52 +0000

As one who experienced first-hand the whole “bring me a switch” process, I can assure those lucky enough to escape it that a thin branch was by no means the better choice. A thinner branch cut through the air faster, ensuring a mighty sting and a more powerful stroke. (Just as bad as “go get me a belt”.) I caught on VERY quickly, but I ahd two brothers and a sister who just never seemed to get it….so they continued to get it ;)
‘course, as a parent now- I find this idea absolutely horrific- the mental aspects alone break my heart. I’ve managed to raise 5 kids so far without having to wallop any of them with a freakin’ TREE. …and my parents wonder why we have issues…..

By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 03:03:19 +0000

alternately, you would learn if doing somethign stupid resulted in a switching you would quickly endevour to be the best behaved child ever. lol

i figured out real quick that i wasn’t sneaky enough to escape punishment so i just stopped doing things unless i was dead sure i could get away with it. lol
unfortunately my brother and sister weren’t that smart and kept getting there butts smacked because they wouldn’t behave.

or does that make you sneakier? hmm.

By: Luis

Luis — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 01:03:58 +0000

Not a terribly common phrase, but I’ve heard it enough that I am curious: What the heck is the origin of “Let’s blow this popsicle stand”? or alternately, “let’s blow this pop stand”? Anybody? Anybody? Beuller? Beuller?

By: Steve S

Steve S — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:32:31 +0000

Christin,

Just the opposite is true about the size of the switch. Given the choice, a child being punished would be allowed to choose the switch to be used. Usually the smaller, thinner switch would be chosen because it looked like it would hurt less. Didn’t take too many trips to the woodshed to learn the physics of what caused which branch to form a more lasting impression! I’m old enough to have been there, done that on the receiving end. Ah, yes! I remember it well. My first lesson in physics. And I grew up just fine, thank you. :-)