
They’re carved so beautifully
That eyes cannot be moved,
Some have a love of paint and hue
While I
I am all about the words.
Does anyone else have a bit of a geeky love of words and phrases? I can’t get enough of finding out where these things come from, to the point where I think it’s a bit nerdy.
I love the history behind it all. I love those quirky stories.
For example, did you know where the phrase ‘fell off the wagon’ comes from? When people were still being executed they were driven to the execution site on a wagon. On the journey, the executioner would allow the prisoner to stop at an inn and he would buy him a drink. Invariably, someone would ask if they could buy the prisoner another drink. The executioner would then say ‘sorry, you can’t because he’s on the wagon.’
Or, carrying on the drinking theme, ‘painting the town red’ probably comes from a legendary night of drinking where the Marquis of Waterford went a bit crazy. A whole mob of his friends got drunk and vandalised Melton Mowbray. They pulled off door knocker and then set about painting statues in the town red.
I could go on and on. I find these little stories fascinating and I always find myself telling people these stories when they say a word or phrase. I’m either a fountain of interesting knowledge to them….or I’m just really annoying.
Much Love
Rachel xx
Greg Dennison
I agree… etymology is fascinating. I think my favorite one is the probable origin of the phrase “hocus pocus”… do you know that one?
patientandkindlove
I just looked that one up because I didn’t know and I ended up getting lost in a Wikipedia hole for half an hour.
Greg Dennison
Yay for Wikipedia holes!
juliadeniro
You’re right; those stories are fascinating.
SometimesHere
Words are the history of humanity. Ethymology is our treasure chest.
patientandkindlove
Yep, we are definitely very creative creatures when we want to be.
crispina kemp
Do I have a love of words and phrases? Ha. Ha-ha. Yep. Obsession I’d call it.
patientandkindlove
I’m a little bit in love with Susie Dent for this reason!
crispina kemp
We are of a kind in many ways. That’s only of the great thikngs about WP: meeting others of like mind
theresaly520
Fascinating! I never knew, but it certainly has its own study! I think there’s a fun radio station that goes over it too!
patientandkindlove
I could listen to those little stories all day, every day!
dysfunctionalandmagicallife
Love this ! ❤️ I’m very new to WordPress but accounts like yours are just the tonic I need 👌x
patientandkindlove
Ah, that’s so kind! x