Aspinock Memories
A few more forgotten sayings from the old-time days
By: Terri Pearsall, AHS Curator
So here we are again exploring old sayings that have been used in the past and may or may not mean the same thing now as they did when they originated.
“Eating Humble Pie” – this saying goes as far back as the 17th century; the lord of an estate would give the umbles (the less tasty parts of an animal) to his servants. These umbles (sounds delicious doesn’t it) would be made into a pie and given to the servants to eat. This became associated with a lower social status. It means to be submissive or apologetic today. I don’t know about you but, I’d rather be apologetic than given umbles to eat.
“Resting on Your Laurels” – In Ancient Greece, laurel leaves were associated with high status and achievement. Athletes were presented with wreaths made from laurel leaves to show their prestige. Romans awarded wreaths to military heroes. They were known as “laureates” and allowed to retire because of their past achievements --- “rest on their laurels”.
“Show Your True Colours” – This saying goes back to the 18th century. During that time “Colours” referred to a ship’s flags identifying the ship. Pirate ships would deliberately lower their colours or display false colours to confuse other ships into thinking they were friendly. It was only when they got close enough to attack, they would show their true colours. The meaning today is to divulge your true intentions.
“Sleep Tight” – This saying derives from the Shakespearian era. In those days, beds and mattresses were secured with ropes that were pulled tight. This formed a solid base and led to a night of good sleep – sleep tight. Meaning today is about the same – have a good night’s sleep.
“You Son of a Gun” – When sailors took their wives to sea on long voyages, some of the women became pregnant on the voyage. The safest place to give birth was deemed to be between the gun cannons. So, a child born on the gun deck was known as a “son of a gun”. Today is a term of endearment.
“Spill the Beans” – In Ancient Greece during elections, voters would place a bean into a jar designated to the candidate of their choice. Sometimes before the voting was completed, the jar would be knocked over and the beans would spill out, revealing the result of the voting. Today it means to tell me your secret.
“Steal my Thunder” – John Dennis, a playwright in the 18th century, wanted an authentic sound of thunder to make his play more realistic. So, he invented a thunder-making machine. When his play flopped, he thought nothing of it, but later, he learned that someone had looked at his machine and made a similar one for their play. It was practically the same, but he was not credited with the invention. This person had literally stolen his thunder. Thus, the meaning today is to take the limelight away from someone.
“None of your Beeswax” – Originated in 19th century America. During that time, women used beeswax to cover up blemishes. When someone would inquire about their appearance, they would respond with “mind your own beeswax. Meaning today to mind your own business.
“Saving Face” – Again in the 19th century women used beeswax not only to cover up blemishes but to make a smooth, wrinkle free complexion once the beeswax hardened. Most houses were heated with a wood burning fireplace and gatherings were always held around the fireplace. These women would choose to sit as far away from the open fire as possible to “save their face” from melting and drooping.
“Three Sheets to the Wind” – Originates from nautical terminology, where “sheets” refer to ropes that control the sails on a ship. If three sheets become loose, the sails flap wildly, causing the ship to lose control, much like a drunken sailor. If you are extremely drunk or inebriated, with “three sheets” representing the highest level of intoxication, while “one sheet” indicates being tipsy. Although not used much today, the meaning still means being inebriated.
So, when you find yourself eating humble pie after resting on your laurels without showing their true colours, you will find it hard to sleep tight knowing that you are really a son of a gun, hoping that no one spills the beans about who stole your thunder even though it was none of their beeswax while they were more concerned about saving face even though they were three sheets to the wind. (Yes, I actually wrote that paragraph or run on sentence. Being in my head can be fun sometimes!) The source of my information this week was from searching the internet for popular old sayings, their origin and meaning. Well folks, that’s all she wrote for today.
Aspinock Memories graces the pages of the Putnam Town Crier to keep Putnam’s history alive.
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