Ever say a common phrase and then pause to wonder, "where did that come from, anyway?" Here are some interesting stories about things we might say every day.
"Rule of Thumb"
Legend has it that a bully of a judge back in the 17th century gave the go-ahead for husbands to beat their wives using a stick--as long as the stick was no wider than a thumb. Okay, so in truth, the phrase probably just came into being because carpenters and tailors measured things in thumb-lenghts. But that's not nearly as interesting as the first story.
"Basket Case"
Soldiers who lost all their limbs in a war would have to be carried around in a basket, right? Yeah, that's kind of gruesome, and there is no way of telling if that's where this phrase actually came from. Ugh.
"Bust Your Chops"
Mutton chops. Punched in the face. Chops busted, right? Uh...maybe. Whoever thought mutton chops looked cool, anyway?
"Butter You Up"
Apparently back in the way way back days of India, people threw balls of butter at statues of gods. They did this to seek favor. I can think of much better uses for butter.
"Humble Pie"
In the Middle Ages, when a lord held a feast, he of course got the best cut of meat. The not-so-privileged folks received a pie filled with the innards and entrails, or the "umbles." Yum...
"Saved by the Bell"
People used to be buried in coffins connected to a bell. Thus, if a not-dead person woke up underground, he could ring the bell and and call someone to the rescue.
"Go the Whole 9 Yards"
During World War II, a 9-yard chain of ammunition went to each fighter pilot. When a pilot used the entire chain, therefore, he went "the whole 9 yards."
Of course, it's not very likely that all these things are true--there are oodles of different theories on where the phrase "raining cats and dogs" came from. Still, next time you're saved by the bell or have to eat humble pie, you'll have something new to think about.
Sources:
http://www.cracked.com/article_16108_the-bizarre-history-10-common-sayings.html
http://list25.com/25-common-sayings-and-where-they-came-from/
Monday, September 23, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Too Tall to Hide Behind My Mother
I've always been shy.
I was the kid who hid behind my mother when people tried to talk to me. Of course, that just made them want to talk to me more. Why does that happen?
In school, I hardly ever said a word. In kindergarten, I was so shy that I couldn't even ask to go to the bathroom (you know how that turned out). In first grade, they divided the class into three groups based on how well we could read. I received the honor being in the lowest level because I never volunteered to read anything out loud. Eventually the teacher figured it out and moved me to the highest level.
My shyness still gets me into trouble. For example, there was the charming but quiet young man who lamented that he wished I would talk to him more. Our conversations consisted of a lot of awkward silences and nervous smiles.
I find it difficult to make eye contact with people. I have nervous habits (I fiddle with my jewelry, my hair, anything within reach) and I never know what to say. Well, almost never. Once in a while there is a miracle and I have a conversation that is completely non-awkward.
Now I'm too tall to hide behind my mother, and I demand restroom breaks when necessary. Progress, right?
Here are a few things that have helped me along the way:
I was the kid who hid behind my mother when people tried to talk to me. Of course, that just made them want to talk to me more. Why does that happen?
In school, I hardly ever said a word. In kindergarten, I was so shy that I couldn't even ask to go to the bathroom (you know how that turned out). In first grade, they divided the class into three groups based on how well we could read. I received the honor being in the lowest level because I never volunteered to read anything out loud. Eventually the teacher figured it out and moved me to the highest level.
My shyness still gets me into trouble. For example, there was the charming but quiet young man who lamented that he wished I would talk to him more. Our conversations consisted of a lot of awkward silences and nervous smiles.
I find it difficult to make eye contact with people. I have nervous habits (I fiddle with my jewelry, my hair, anything within reach) and I never know what to say. Well, almost never. Once in a while there is a miracle and I have a conversation that is completely non-awkward.
Now I'm too tall to hide behind my mother, and I demand restroom breaks when necessary. Progress, right?
Here are a few things that have helped me along the way:
- Good friends. When I was really young, I think I only had friends because I never said anything. They could talk all they wanted and I wouldn't interrupt. Later I met awesome people who took the time to get to know me, as much as I resisted. I love outgoing people who boss me around and try to shove me out of my shell.
- Having something to say. Okay, this doesn't always happen. Sometimes even when I think in advance about what I can talk about, the conversation totally falls flat. That is, unless I'm out in the ministry (and speaking English)--then things go more smoothly.
- Growing up. It happens to everyone. Bummer.
- Taking care of myself. I admit, I haven't been doing a great job of this lately, but when I eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and have fun picking out my outfits, I feel a lot more inclined to talk to people.
- Cultivating a positive outlook. I don't like to admit it when I'm feeling sad or annoyed or frustrated, so I just don't say much of anything. Keeping Joy joyful is something I really need to work at.
- Focusing on other people.
I'm rather tired of being shy. I don't mind spending time alone, but sometimes I think I'm alone too much. Everything becomes me, me, me until I get out and get in touch with people. It's an awful feeling. I get tired of me.
I guess I'll just keep working, then...
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
14 Great Places to be From
I love where I live now. It's quiet, safe-ish, relatively clean, and I always have a spot to park my car. When I lived in Hoquiam, WA, I wasn't so happy. My friends there are fabulous, but the town itself screams blah. The weather is usually gray, a lot of the neighborhoods are falling apart, and Wal-Mart is the social hub. Yes, Hoquiam is a great place to be from.
Image via Flickr by davsutmul
Here are some other great places to be from, but for different reasons. I just find the names amusing.
- Boring, Oregon
- Fart, Virginia
- Poopoo, Hawaii
- Hello, Michigan
- Embarrass, Minnesota
- Normal, Illinois
- No Name, Colorado
- Hot Coffee, Mississippi
- Accident, Maryland
- Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
- Looneyville, Texas
- Why, Arizona
- Dismal, Tennessee
- Boogertown, North Carolina.
Admit it. You'd love to meet new people and tell them you're from Boogertown or No Name. There are plenty of other strange town names out there. A few of them make me blush to even think about.
What are some other great places to be from?
Sources:
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Really? A Beta Reader?
I've been working somewhat obsessively on revising my novel. The story is an idea that's been stuck in my head for years, and I've written at least half a dozen rough drafts of this thing, starting when I was about fifteen years old. I've decided that it's finally time to let my story poke its head out into the light, regardless of how scared I am.
Most of the advice I read about revising a novel suggests recruiting a few beta readers to nit pick over things like plot and character development, grammar and syntax, and all the other elements that come together to make a novel. I probably won't be ready for beta readers for at least another few weeks, but I've been thinking about the traits of a good beta reader.
Here are some of the things that I would like to have in a beta reader:
Most of the advice I read about revising a novel suggests recruiting a few beta readers to nit pick over things like plot and character development, grammar and syntax, and all the other elements that come together to make a novel. I probably won't be ready for beta readers for at least another few weeks, but I've been thinking about the traits of a good beta reader.
Here are some of the things that I would like to have in a beta reader:
- Someone who seriously wants to help improve my story. Not someone who wants to make my story into their story.
- An eye for details is a must. I think a few of my characters might undergo some startling changes that I failed to notice, like a change in eye color or height. They also need to be quick to recognize holes in the plot.
- Someone who notices if all my sentences start the same way, or if I use the same phrase so many times that it loses its impact.
- Time. A beta reader should have time or make time to read my story before I succumb to old age.
- I want my beta readers to feel free to express themselves on anything they feel takes away from the story, but they also need to say what their favorite elements of the story were.
- Make a big deal out of cliches--nothing makes a writer seem so boring.
The bottom line is that a beta reader needs to be honest, detail-oriented, and excited about the task put to him or her. Otherwise, the writer ends up with a mediocre story.
The thing that terrifies me about asking someone I know to help me revise my novel is that they might make assumptions about me. That's horrifying.
Oh well. What's the worst that could happen? *Shudder*
After I have a few beta readers look over my story I'll writer another blog post about how it went. To be continued...
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Eight Fascinating Facts about Coffee
I do not give the sun permission to rise until I have had my coffee, and I know I'm far from alone when I express that sentiment. In honor of that precious liquid, I scoured the Internet and found some worthy facts about the best beverage in the world.
- The king of England banned coffee houses in 1675. They were just convenient meeting places for people to conspire against him.
- Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside a lovely red berry.
Image via Flickr by Scot Nelson
- After oil, coffee is the most commonly traded commodity on Earth.
- One of the founding fathers of the United States invented instant coffee. Okay, not really, but his name was George Washington. I'm not sure if we should be grateful to him.
- In WWII, American servicemen, GI Joes, earned a reputation as big coffee drinkers. Hence, we have the term "cup of joe."
- 100 cups of coffee in one day will kill you. Not a bad way to go, but still, keep an eye on how much you consume.
Image via Flickr by Pete Simon
- "Cappuccinos" are called such because the drink resembles the clothing of Capuchin monks.
- According to legend, the effects of coffee first got noticed when some goats ate the berries and started to go bonkers. Well, hyper, anyway, if not completely bonkers.
Okay, now I want a big, delicious cup of coffee.
Check out these links for more fascinating facts about coffee:
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