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My son has had some homework, we haven’t been able to do it because of the time factor, anyway…
It said that he was to ask older people (this is where some of you come in) :lol: about old sayings such as it’s raining cats and dogs, he hasn’t seen any old peole for a while, nanna is away with grandad.
So old sayings and where did they originate from. Anyone? 8)
oooh Minim might be good for this one, after her thread ” I once thunk” or whatever it was called…
I love the old rhyming slang, but when it comes to nationwide old sayings I have not got a clue where they came from apart from a few unimportant ones…
There is a book available though, its only a couple of quid and it is like a dictionary of old sayings and their origin.
Cant remember the title though so thats a lot of good innit!!
About as good as a chocolate teapot!
Just old sayings will do shaz, my son and I can research them tomorrow,
Raining Cats and Dogs
One supposed origin is that the phrase derives from mythology. Dogs and wolves were attendants to Odin, the god of storms, and sailors associated them with rain. Witches, who often took the form of their familiars – cats, are supposed to have ridden the wind. Well, some evidence would be nice. There doesn’t appear to be any to support this notion.
Shittin through the eye of a needle is one of my faves… sorry mate couldnt resist, but its so accurate!
Okay, I will be around tomorrow so will also do a bit of research through word of mouth first before relying on tinternet 8)
@sharongooner wrote:
Shittin through the eye of a needle is one of my faves… sorry mate couldnt resist, but its so accurate!
Okay, I will be around tomorrow so will also do a bit of research through word of mouth first before relying on tinternet 8)
Ta chick, I suppose I could go to the old grannie bungalows down the road but they keep my cats hostage on a regular basis! :x :lol: Kens teeth don’t fit, he spits alot, Urgh, this is my only option! :lol:
Big wig
i think though please check its too do with the more important the man in the olden days the bigger the wig they wore
dont look a gift horse in the mouth
i think is because u tell the age of a horse by his teeth, but if it was agift wud be kinda rude to check the age of it i think
crocodile tears
sorry no clue to the originlong in the tooth
another horse one lol as horses age there gums recede and so their teeth appear longer as after a certain age u cant tell from the shape rings and grooves in the teeth so have to rely on that a bit for age estimation
pride comes before a fall
dunno think its something religioustouch wood
dunno again but if u find out let me know cos im always doing that lolCrocodiles appear to weep after they’ve claimed a victim. Hence Crocodile Tears.
one of my grans favourite sayings dunno if its a real saying though or why it was said
if your make aface she’d say
if the wind blows you’ll stay like that :?
better a bird in the hand than 2 in the bush
love that one again a gran used one lol
Touch wood
The custom is thought to originate from Pagan times when trees were held in high esteem. People believed that ‘wood spirits’ inhabited the trees and woodlands. To touch a tree with respect is thought to indicate that the person was in search of protection from the particular wood spirit.
It is thought also that the action may be a result of the Christian belief in The Crucifixion. Christ was crucified on a cross made of wood and hence touching wood may now be a sign of this belief, and a sign of deep compassion and reverence for Christ’s resurrection. This would of course have no connection with the Pagan reasoning, but perhaps the action may be seen as result of two distinctive belief systems.
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