Did I say that ?

This topic was suggested to me by a member of my team.  I have been known on occasion (ok, more than I must realize) to use phrases that they have never heard of before.  And because of an unending curiosity (hmmm...wonder where I get that from), I also love to learn where these sayings and phrases originate.  So here is just a sprinkling ...

One of my most common is "don't through the baby out with the bath water".
Thanks to List21.com for this backgrounder.

Meaning: Hang on to valuable things when getting rid of unnecessary things
History: During the 1500s, most people bathed once a year. Even when they did bathe, the entire family used the same tubful of water. The man of the house bathed first, followed by other males, then females, and finally the babies. You can imagine how thick and cloudy the water became by that time, so the infants’ mothers had to take care not to throw them out with the bathwater when they emptied the tub.

PS Thanks for the picture Mom - very timely !




Another oldie but goodie, let's "kill 2 birds with one stone".  When I've researched this one it has a number of stories on derivation - one involving chickens, another involving philosophers.  Now I've often thought that if someone hadn't heard this one before, they might think I have a real dislike for our flying feathered friends. And actually ... when they are chirping at 4am ... they might have a point. 

And I'll finish this post with a saying that to my Canadian acquaintances seems to bring out my Texas background .... well that was a  "pig's breakfast".  Definition from the Urban Dictionary: total mess; mixed up slops.

Just a few for now, more to come as the days unfold ....