[ten more examples of common language of a century back, many s=
till used today!]
21. OLDER THAN DIRT or OLDER THAN IOWA AND TWICE A=
S CORNY
(something truly old; variation from=
OLDER THAN THE HILLS found in the oldest book in the Bible – Job 15:7)
22. MADDE=
R THAN A WET HEN
(describes real rage or ang=
er, from practice of farmer throwing a bucket of cold water on hen that won=
’t leave her nest so he can collect eggs)
23. OLD AGE DOESN’T COME AL=
ONE
(with each year we have more weakness, i=
nfirmities, financial, and mental issues; it also comes with another person=
you hardly recognize =3D yourself)
&nb=
sp;
24. WERE YOU BORN IN A BARN?
(shut the door behind you, but don’t slam the screen d=
oor)
2=
5. A LITLE BIRDIE TOLD ME
(secret source of =
information without identifying the informant; from Ecclesiastes 10:20 in t=
he Bible)
26. THE SHORT END OF THE STICK
(placed a=
t a disadvantage; from 1400’s idiom of a walking staff upside down)
27. I W=
OULDN’T TOUCH THAT WITH A 1O-FOOT POLE
(strong aversion, refusal to go near or become involved with someone or s=
omething too risky; from keelboat workers’ poles along Ohio and Missi=
ssippi)
28. HAULING YOU OVER THE COALS
=
(making som=
eone responsible, interrogation; from old methods of torture that keep YOUR=
FEET TO THE FIRE to pressure you)
&nbs=
p;
29. THAT’S THE REAL MCCOY
(a genuine product, not an inferior copy of questionable q=
uality; from Scotland’s “McKay” distillery slogan not to =
accept the competitor’s whisky)
&=
nbsp;
30. THE CHEAPEST IS OFTEN THE DEAREST
(there are no real bargains, and poor quality ite=
ms often end up more expensive as they breakdown or must buy replacement)
~~
Dr Bob Griffin
[email protected] www.grif.net
"Jesus Knows Me, This =
I Love!"