The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-12-09
Orloln Of Popular Phrases.
Barkis 10 Wiltin'.-This expression or
mated IN Dickens novel, "Dayid Copper

Barkis 10 Wiltin.-This expression Or
ipinated IN Dickens novel, "Dayid Copper
field"
TAimLle. $500 The word Is derived from
Thumbell," being at first humble, and al
terward thimble. The little instrument IT.
self is Dutch invention, and was first In
PRODUCED In England about the year 1905, by
John Letting.
Too Thin.-Thls slang phrase, which Is
often heard when the healer wishes to ex-
uress a disbelief Ia a story, aud which the
majority Of people suppose Ia tie OF hoderh
origin, may be found IN Sm"lletts novel;
"Peregrine Pickle" which Was published III
London in 1851. When Peregumc, the hero
suddenly informs his lady love, Amelia tha'
he is going abroad, the tears gathered INTO
her eyes, aud she was at great pains TO con-
ceal the cause Of her grief by observing that
tie tea was SO scaldImg bot as TO make her
eyes water. This pretext," says Smoliett,
In all seriousness, "was too thin 10 impose
upon her lover or TO deceive the obserVa-
tion Of her friend Sophy." The expression
is also TO be found in Shakespeare's Henry
VIII, scene / of act 3.
Bully.-The use Of this vulgar adjective
ante-dates the above by more than hall
century. In Swilt's Subscription Of a City
Shower" (l604), we read:
Box'd in a chair, the beau impatient sits,
While sprouts run gathering DER the roofs
by fits;
And ever and anon with frightful din
The leather sounds; he trembles from WITHIN,
So when Troys chairman bore the wooueh
steed,
Pregnant with Greeks impatient 10 be freed,
Those bully Greeks who, as the moderlis do,
Instead Of playing chairman runs them
through
LAGOON struck the outside with his spear,
And each imprisoned hero quak'd with fear
etc.
] Acknowledge tie C0rn-This phrase is
said 10 have originated as follows: In
1928 Andrew Stewart, member of Congress,
said in a speech that Ohio, Kentucky and
Indiana sent their hay stacks, corn fields
aud fodder TO New York and Philadelphia
fjr sale. Wicklihe, Of Kentucky, called
him to order, declaring that those States did
not send hay stacks or corn fields to New
York for sale. "Well, what do you send -
asked Stewart. "Why, horses, mules, cattle
and hogs" responded the gentleman from
Kentucky. Every good" said Stewart.
"What makes your horses, cattle and hogs :
You feed 500 worth Of hay to horse.
You just animate and get upon the top OF
your haystack and ride of to market. How
is It With your cattle? You make one Of
them carry $50 worth Of hay to the Eastern
market. How much corn does 1t take al
thirty cents q bushel 10 fatten hog?"
"Why, thirty bushels" responded Wicklifle.
"Then you put that thirty bushels" con-
tinued Stewart, "into the shape Of hog,
aud make IL walk off TO the Eastern market"
At this juncture the Kentucky Congress
man jumped up and said: MIR. Speaker, |
acknowledge the corn"
Letting the Cat Out Of the Bdg.-A
quaint saying, which originated in England
In this way: Formerly dishonest country
men practiced the trick of substituting ca t
for sucking pig, and bringing it to marke /
In bag, so that he who, without examina-
ton made hasty bargain, was said TO "bu y
a pig In poke" and might "get cat in a
bag" And the discovery Of this cheat Or
iginated the expression, Letting the cat
out Of the bag"