The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-13

mer to the influence of this constella-
tion-a superstition which has been
perpetuated to the present day in the
use of this term.
To have the gift of CAB" means the
gift of the (use of the) mouth, "gab"
being the Scotch word for mouth.
We say person has Just saved his
bacon" with the strictly limited signifi-
cation of having barely escaped some
loss or danger. The origin of the
phrase is probably due to a time-hon-
ored institution inaugurated at Little
Dunmow by Lord Fitzwalter, in Henry
ITS reign. Any couple who, after
year and a day of married life, came
to the priory and kneeling on two
sharp stones before the prior and con-
ventional assembly, did swear and
maintain that they neither repented
of their bargain nor had any dessen-
sion, We're entitled to a fitch of bacon,
which came TO be known as the Dun
NOW fitch. This old custom fell into
disuetude, but of late years has been
revived. The knowledge of the insti-
tuition was at first purely local. but it's
unique nature gradually attracted pub
lie attention, it became of general ref
erence, and the happy couple who, af-
ter having nearly qualified for the
necessary term, but had been all of a
SNddth apparently just Oll Tic VERGE Vi
a quarrel and yet averted the commits
sion, were said to have Just saved
their bacon" The extension of the
saying to other near escapes beside
quarrels was easy and of natural con-
sequence.
The phrase. "Ill cook your goose for
YOU originated in this manner, Eric,
King of Sweden, coming to a certain
town, besieged it, but, having few sol
dierS OhIicad IN daciSt The in
habitmlts in derision hung out from
the walls a goose on a pole. Later,
Eris returned with achievements,
and, in reply to the challenge of the
heralds, observed that he had come Ito
cook their goose for Them" and pro-
ceeded 10 storm the town and make it
hot for the Inhabitants.
To sleep like top has probably a
very different origin to that which APP
pears. Top is thought to be a cor
ruption of the French taupe. mole.
This Interpretation is far more in ac-
cordance with the idea usually convey
ed, that of a prolonged undisturbed
sleep like that of a mole in winter,
rather than the short-enduring, So
called sleep" of top when it revolves
in its axis with a gentle humming
sound.
Scot" means tax. To Ego scot free"
therefore, really means tax free, and
hence, generally, to get off without the
impost of any tax or forfeiture, to es-
cape entirely from any evil conse-
quences of ones act.
To say that thing is a mine days
wonder" means that we regard it as a
wonder for nine days. and then our
eyes are opened to the fact that it is
no wonder at all. This saying is based
on the fact that kittens and puppies
are born blind. and their eyes open at
the end of nine days, and implies that
people are blind with establishment for
nine days. and then their eyes open
and they are undeceived.
The expression sent to Coventry"
meaning to ignore a persons existence
totally, originated as follows: The cit
liens of Coventry England. had at one
time so great a dislike to soldiers that
a woman seen speaking to one was re-
garded as outside the pale of respec-
table society ever after No intercourse
was ever allowed between the garrison
and the town: hence when a man was
sent to Coventry he was cut off from
all social enjoyments.
There was once upon time an Egyp-
tan King, so 1t is said. who built
pyramid and died of melancholy. His
name was Dumops: yet there are prob
ably few persons who know that they
are perpetuating the memory of his
tragic history when they Temark that
they are lin the dumps"