Like to hear how a phrase, saying, social convention came into being. Heard a good one today and thought I'd share a few.
Reason to clink glasses together- Two thousand yrs. ago, the practice came into being from the Romans. The cups were slammed together in toast so that liquid from all cups mixed together. Helped to insure no one was poisoned.
Shaking hands- I believe came from the Romans also. So that when two men not well-acquainted met(or met with someone you didn't trust) the right hand was occupied with a clasp so the dominant hand couldn't be used to thrust a dagger into the other guy. May be other interpretations of this. Let's hear 'em.
Phrase "Son of a gun"- Sailors of the British Navy, that had a wife with difficulty delivering, would bring her on board. A hammock was strung b/w two cannons. She climbed in, tried to relax, and both cannons were simultaneously fired. Supposedly helped baby to be delivered. Baby was a son of a gun.
Square meal- Many sailors of the British Navy were not exactly thrilled to be in the service. Some were press-ganged. However, the Navy served excellent, hearty meals. They were served on a wooden, square plate. Hence, a square meal.
Devil's Advocate- Comes from the Catholic Church. Not a Catholic so feel free to correct me if wrong. When an individual is up for sainthood, a discussion is held debating the merit's for and against. The person arguing the against position is called the Devil's Advocate.
Anyone else with interesting factoids, let's hear 'em. If I'm wrong, or there are other interpretations, in my examples, let's see the other explanation.
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Originally Posted by Zhurdan
I love threads like these.
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