Reader Opinions
Gail A. Wells – (get under someone’s skin) December 4, 2021
Hello, I am trying to find out when the phrase, “getting under one’s skin”, (meaning when someone gets on your nerves) first originated, what year? I have written an historical fiction novel which takes place in 1848 and I use this term to describe one main character’s feelings for the other one. Thank you!
Gail Wells
Queen Bogs – (go the extra mile) December 3, 2021
Anon is exactly right. You deprive the oppressor of the illusion of a hold over you when you consider it nothing to volunteer another mile. You are more free than they recognize. JC was captain passive resistance.
Mark – (blood is thicker than water) December 2, 2021
“The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” Seems to be a more modern extrapolation of the other “Blood is thicker than water.” It is interesting that on the internet the first is now being given as the “origin” of the second. Yet nowhere can we find exactly where: “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” is quoted from, other than two books which made the claim without citing a source. It’s a form of “urban legend” now.
Susan G Dunn – (fake it till you make it) November 30, 2021
This is like “A writer writes.” I think of it as – keep doing what you want to do until you get it perfect. Keep acting like a Manager, and then one day you’ll be one.
Act like a winner, and one day you’ll be one.
Will it “get common” now? It’s total slang. And mostly used in a rude way, or at least with rude intent, i.e.,
Asst Mgr walks in, dumps something on Mary’s desk, tells her to do it and then walks out.
Cissy, who is sitting there says, “Yeah, right. Fake it till you make it.” referring to asst mgr’s behavior
Susan G Dunn – (throw under the bus) November 30, 2021
As a Great Generation member, this idiom was totally new to me. In other words, true – it hasn’t been around very long. However, I liked it immediately. I felt it had been needed in our language. I often use SHOVE – ‘she shoved me under the bus.” it seems to fit more.
A similarly modern idiom is “Kicked to the curb”
Mia K – (a needle in a haystack) November 28, 2021
The saying goes way back to the 900 CE, where it was used in the “One Thousand and One Nights” tale, originated in Persia, Arabia and mainly Ancient Middle East. So the term is a translation from Persian and Arabic sayings, which you should include in the information.
C Balthrop – (call a spade a spade) November 28, 2021
I am not suggesting the use of any term that’s intended to be hurtful or insensitive but should the facts not be provided in the most truthful and uncensored manner as it was originally applied? What good is recording or reporting history if what is being noted isn’t done accurately? Learning accurate facts of the past can help everyone not repeat those mistakes.
Jonathan – (keep your friends close and your enemies closer) November 26, 2021
Too bad each US President and his followers don’t read the Art of War by Chinese all around student of Life as I would like to call is what Sun Tzu was. Just might keep us from going to war or loosing anymore. I know it is taught in War Colleges around the world. General George S. Patton read Rommel’s book on Infantry Attacks. Gen. Patton learned to understand his enemy very well. And, there is George Santayana “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. which Churchill misquoted. Live and die with ignorance is not the way to go. Apply such things in your own personal life and you just might avoid a messy divorce!
John Dho – (rule of thumb) November 24, 2021
The rule of thumb may have originally come from the miller’s technique of rubbing freshly ground flour between the thumb and forefinger to test the grind, course to fine, of the flour or meal. This was especially true when partially automated mills originally powered by water, vastly increased milling speed. A misadjusted milestone would quickly ruin the flour and the miller’s profits, so the rule of thumb was critical to the success of any mill.
Jameson Long – (brownie points) November 22, 2021
Its akin to brown nosing, which means putting your nose up anothers rear end, which is a colloquial way of describing one who overly tries to please another for personal gain (brownie points).
