The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1914-02-27
ORIGIN or SOME
POPULAR SAYINGS
ANGRY KING OF SWEDEN FIRED
a TOWN TO COOK A
GOOSE"
"Going to the Dogs" Is An Eastern
Expression Where CANNES Are
seavensers.

What is popular phrase?" some
one once asked. Sometimes we all
repeat like parrots, without knowing
its real origin or meaning" was the
reply OF the cynic; and to a certain
extent he was right. How many of
US, for instance, can tell how those
common phrases, 'tuft-hunters" and
fools paradise" arose? We have
an idea that the former refers to the
person who seeks the society and
apes the manner of the Upper
Ten;" but why 'tuft?" and why
"paradis" for tn fool who shuts his
eyes to threatening troubles and
dangers, satisfied with the enjoyment
Of the moment?
AS a matter of fact, the latter
phrase originated in the theological
argument that there is a place for
fools just outside paradise, while tse
term "tuft-hunting" took it's rise at
the Universities of Oxford and Cam
bridge, where at one time the young
nobleman wore peculiarly formed
cap with tuft, which presumably
attracted hangers-on.
Many other curious stories of the
origin of popular phrases are given
in Everyday Phrases Explained
(Pearson). 1t is related that Hob
sons choice" arose from the fact
that Hobson, noted carrier in Cam
bridge, would only let out his horses
and coaches for hire in rotation, re-
fusing to allow his customers to
choose, customer being compelled
to take the horse nearest the door.
Thus it became customary, when
anything was forced upon one, to sa3
"Hobsons choice" "A
Eating humble pie" Is phrase
which really arose from the corrup-
ton of the word "umbles" or
"numbles," the coarser parts of a
deer killed in hunting, which, when
made into a pile, were formerly re-
served for the lower hunt servants;
while cooking his goose" is a phrase
which originated when the King of
Sweden, on approaching hostile
town, excited the contempt of the
Inhabitants by the smallness of his
army. To express this they hung
out goose for him to shoot at,
whereupon the King est fire to the
town to cook the goose
Long ago unscrupupols people used
to have a cat tied in a bag to mar.
ket, where they tried to sell it for a
pig. If, however, the purchaser open
ed the bag before buying, the cat, OF
course, jumped out, displaying the
fraud. Hence the term letting the
cat out of the bag"
Going to the dogs" comes from
the East, where dogs are scavengers
Of the streets, and become so un
clean as to be unfit to touch; while
the expression, Tell it to the mar
ines" used to show disbelief in the
truth of a story, arose from the fact
that when the marines first went
afloat they were naturally green
concerning nautical affairs, and
someone who related very tall yarn
was told to "tell it to the marines,
the idea being that they could be
more easily gulled.
1t is a curious fact that teh phrase
bald as badger" owes its origin to
lauthors of the past, who had no ex
act knowledge Of natural history, and
who because the foreheaded of a
badger is covered with smooth, white
hairs, came to the conclusion that il
was bald.
Years ago theatrical manager OF
the bogus type had in his company
an actor whose strong point was the
Ighost of Hamlet" II his salary
was not forthcoming on Saturday
this actor would exclaim: Then the
ghost won't walk tonight" phrase
which ia still usad nv actors IN nav
day, and which provides striking
ILLUSTRATION Of how casual remark
becomes a common saying.