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   Viewed 51 times - Published on Jul 30, 2010

I Didn't Know That: Minding Your P's And Q's

Every now and again, I'm asked about my favorite expressions.

You know, those time honored sayings that have such a simple background, it takes on a whole new meaning once you know where it came from...Mind your Ps and Qs is one such expression. A phrase that basically means, keep your act together and pay attention to those details, Ps and Qs make for one of our more colorful histories for sure, but as is the case with several of our more commonly uttered idioms Minding P's and Q's has two stories laying claim to its origin.

One is set in type. The other, set in pubs.

The first traces to early printing presses, where moveable type was set by hand. An offset operation (meaning the letters were set mirror opposite the way they would print on the page), Minding Your P's and Q's was the type-setter's reminder to pay close attention to which side the stem of the letter faced. (The expression could likewise have applied to B's and D's, whose lower case fonts are equally confusing.)

The more popular account, however, traces to English taverns of the seventeenth century, wherein it was the responsibility of the bartender to keep up with the beer consumed by his patrons.

Marking P's and Q's on a small slate board, a bartender could monitor in a glance, the consumption of beer by each customer. The adage was for the consumer, who could keep an eye on this slate, to make sure the bartender didn't fudge on his tab. As beer was served in glasses measuring pints and quarts, Minding Our P's and Q's in this context, meant you kept up with how much you were drinking.

Be it production or consumption, the spirit of the expression is one and the same: Pay attention to what you're doing. And don't get careless while you're doing it.

Karlen Evins, is author of
"I Didn't Know That" and
Southern to the Core: An Evins Family Cookbook
www.southerntothecore.com






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Every now and again, I'm asked about my favorite expressions.<br><br>You know, those time honored sayings that have such a simple background, it takes on a whole new meaning once you know where it came from...Mind your Ps and Qs is one such expression. A phrase that basically means, keep your act together and pay attention to those details, Ps and Qs make for one of our more colorful histories for sure, but as is the case with several of our more commonly uttered idioms Minding P's and Q's has two stories laying claim to its origin. <br><br>One is set in type. The other, set in pubs.<br><br>The first traces to early printing presses, where moveable type was set by hand. An offset operation (meaning the letters were set mirror opposite the way they would print on the page), Minding Your P's and Q's was the type-setter's reminder to pay close attention to which side the stem of the letter faced. (The expression could likewise have applied to B's and D's, whose lower case fonts are equally confusing.)<br><br>The more popular account, however, traces to English taverns of the seventeenth century, wherein it was the responsibility of the bartender to keep up with the beer consumed by his patrons. <br><br>Marking P's and Q's on a small slate board, a bartender could monitor in a glance, the consumption of beer by each customer. The adage was for the consumer, who could keep an eye on this slate, to make sure the bartender didn't fudge on his tab. As beer was served in glasses measuring pints and quarts, Minding Our P's and Q's in this context, meant you kept up with how much you were drinking.<br><br>Be it production or consumption, the spirit of the expression is one and the same: Pay attention to what you're doing. And don't get careless while you're doing it.<br><br><i>Karlen Evins, is author of<br>"I Didn't Know That" and<br>Southern to the Core: An Evins Family Cookbook<br>www.southerntothecore.com</i><br><br><br> I Didn't Know That: Minding Your P's And Q's
   from Jul 30, 2010



My favorite "I Didn't Know That" moments are those that happen spontaneously-falling from the tree of "real life" (or even death, as the case may be). Such was my lot last week while sorting through the effects of my recently decease father, whose coin collection prompted a trip to the appraiser.<br><br>A country banker from days back, Dad's collection of coins would be the envy of any young grandson (if only we'd given him one). In addition, he fancied things like commemoratives, rare Indian nickels and most anything Franklin Mint took a notion to honoring (like Olympic figure skaters, John Wayne and certain shuttle launches). <br><br>After toting boxes of everything from Eisenhower silver dollars to Bicentennial proof sets, I found myself seated across from a most knowledgeable -looking man name Mike whose surrounding consisted of varied an three ring binders, collector newspapers and odd looking coin counting devices.<br>Picking up the first of many loose coins, I was surprised when Mike pulled a letter opener from his drawer and proceeded to "thunk" the coin. <br><br>"Thud" went the coin.<br>"Hmmm" said Mike.<br>"I didn't know you still did it that way."<br>"Did what?" he asked, never looking up.<br>"Ring the coins!" I chimed in. "Did it ring true?"<br><br>Mike had not heard this one (and bless his heart, wasn't ready for this little spew of trivia, but off I went).<br><br>"Rings true" comes from guys like you, who back in the day, tested for counterfeits by tapping them to see what sound came out. Fake coins contained alloys and thus produced a flat tone; silver or gold rang "clear as a bell".<br><br>As is too often the case, my little diatribe was rebutted with "Well, I didn't know that!" which made me smile. But what I didn't know was that even U.S. silver coins minted past 1963 "ring hollow" owing to changes at the Mint.<br><br>(File it under: learn something new everyday!)<br><br> I Didn't Know That - "Rings True"
   from May 29, 2010



"You might want to slow it down." I gripped my door handle.<br><br>"I know how to drive, Karlen."<br><br>"It's just, the police love that curve. You're going 50. The sign says 40." I pointed. I shrugged. "And don't forget that stop si..."<br><br>The sudden brakes told me she would've.<br>"Has your mother ever commented on your driving?"<br><br>"No. My MOTHER thinks I drive just fine."<br><br>Clearly I'd hit a nerve.<br><br>When it comes to work, my assistant and I are a team. From radio shows to speaking schedules we're click and clack. The girl can organize everything from spread sheets to closets like nobody's business. But put us together in a car and we become the Bickersons.<br><br>"Are you always this annoying?" she asked.<br><br>"Just trying to get us there alive."<br><br>"Are you still a backseat driver when you're sitting up front?"<br><br>I live for these moments.<br><br>"Well, may I just say. backseat drivers have been maligned. It's really not fair the bum wrap they've been given."<br><br>Darcy rolled her eyes and gave me that "OK. Let's hear it" look.<br><br>"The original backseat drivers were not complaining passengers. No. No. Nay. Nay. For what they were assigned to do, these drivers were appreciated.respected even.<br><br>The original backseat drivers worked on fire trucks. Their role was as critical to the equation as the driver, himself. Perched at the back of the rig, watching out for ladders that could further delay things if suddenly unleashed, the backseat driver was in a position of honor.as vital to the team as the firefighters themselves.<br><br>"So you see.when it comes to your safety, this label, under any other circumstance, would be highly respected. Everyone else on the truck would be thanking me." I Didn't Know That: "Backseat Driver"
   from Mar 7, 2010



"You really should change your sign!" The lady she was barking at, just shrugged. She barely spoke the language and this clearly wasn't her department.<br>Meanwhile, a line was forming, and I, for one, was about to miss my flight.<br><br>"A sausage and biscuit is supposed to be less than sausage, egg and cheese" she pointed. Sure enough, the sign above the cook backed her case.<br><br>I didn't mean to eavesdrop. But as her tone grew louder, I had no choice. Nor did the other annoyed customers, now forming a line.<br><br>I began to wonder.if there are no "eaves" involved, is it still "eavesdropping?" (My mind, now eager for any distraction that wasn't confrontational.) And then I pondered, "Wonder how many think the word is ease-dropping?" After all, it was plenty easy overhearing this little conversation. I debated if the word could go either way.<br><br>Truth be told, the origin of eavesdropping did not begin with airport lines. Rather, it hails back to boundaries of old, wherein an owner, unable to build his house right up to his property line, was required by law to leave space for the "eaves" (i.e. those drippings that result from rain and bad weather). The origin of the word points to this "eavesdrip" . (i.e. that space between the houses, roughly two feet wide, whereby a nosy neighbor could easily overhear his neighbor's private conversations.)<br><br>From eavesdrip to eavesdrop, the word evolved from noun to verb. As is the case with so many of our commonly used phrases, form gave way to function. Today we know the term well; though few, I dare say, could recall its origin.<br><br>As the lady in front of me left in disgust, I reached into my wallet to pay.<br>.$4.25 for a sausage and biscuit? <br>"You really should change your sign!"<br><br><br><i>Karlen Evins, author of<br>"I Didn't Know That"<br>welcomes your feedback at<br>www.karlenevins.com </i><br> I Didn't Know: " Eavesdropping"
   from Feb 26, 2010



When it comes to Mardi Gras, the world as I know it is divided into two camps: those who celebrate, and those who don't. Until last year I was a member of the former, but now, having walked those Bourbon streets and collected more than my fair share of beads, I am and will forever be a part of the latter, though more for the myriad of religious symbols than anything reveling.<br><br>As you probably know, Fat Tuesday derives its name from the French words mardi (fat) and gras (Tuesday) and honors the Feast of the Epiphany. Falling the day before Ash Wednesday, Fat Tuesday commemorates the journey of the magi who followed the star to the Christ child (hence the King's Cake, in which a small baby, symbolizing Jesus, is baked into the mix. You look for it like the wise men looked for the Christ child.) <br><br>The last "hurrah" before Lent, Mardi Gras traces its roots to the Catholic celebration of Carnival (from the Latin, carne vale, meaning "farewell to flesh"). The festival today celebrates the Easter season, which originally coincided with earlier pagan celebrations honoring the spring equinox. <br><br>Ash Wednesday kicks off Lent (40 days before Good Friday, not counting Sundays). On this day, ashes are smeared on the foreheads of the faithful (or the crown if you're a priest) in the form of the cross. <br>From the Latin dies cinerum (day of ashes), the celebration dates back to the eighth century. On this day, believers were blessed by a priest, who uttered the words: "Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust shalt thou return."<br><br>The ashes (sprinkled in holy water and infused with incense) are worn until sundown. Symbolic of mourning and repentance, fasting and sackcloth usually accompanied, though today we retain only the fast and the ritual, but fortunately not the scratchy clothes. <br>_____________________________ <br><br><i>Karlen Evins, author of<br>"I Didn't Know That Comes from the Bible"<br>welcomes your feedback at <br>www.karlenevins.com</i><br><br> I Didn't Know That: "Fat Tuesday/Ash Wednesday"
   from Feb 19, 2010



Between the Superbowl and the Grammys it would appear our American spirit is alive and well when it comes to good, old-fashioned competition. Seems everywhere I turned last week it as a "Go Peyton" here and an "Taylor Swift" twitter there. Everyone is rooting for someone to win, and when we're not living vicariously through our heroes, we're doing our darndest to keep that "winning" spirit alive in our own individual lives and careers.which brings me to today's word: ambition.<br><br>I am fascinated by the nature of ambition: why some have it and others don't. Are we born with ambition or does it come about environmentally, learned from someone outside of us, like a teacher, a mentor or a coach? Or is ambition like a little acorn instilled in our psyches. just waiting for the right combination of soil and rain and fertilizer to help it sprout into mighty oak?<br><br>The background on the word is curious. By definition ambition means ".a desire for personal advancement, " but what has always intrigued me is how the word came about in the first place. While the word ambition covers everything from sports stamina to musical talent, the original desire for this so-called advancement was purely political. <br>From the Latin word "ambitio" (literally translated: "go getter") the first "go getters" were ancient Romans.more specifically, Roman politicians out to "go get" votes.<br><br>At the time political ambition was a worthy calling, as it was one of the few ways a commoner could better his placement in life simply by participating in civic dialogue. It didn't take long, however for the "ambitios" to become known as those who would use that political power and clout to better their personal lives, which in turn, changed the tone and tenor of the word ever so slightly, by adding a touch more pride, a dash more cynicism, and a lot more ego.<br><br><i>Karlen Evins, author of<br>"I Didn't Know That"<br>welcomes your feedback at<br>www.karlenevins.com</i><br><br> I Didn't Know That: "Ambition"
   from Feb 13, 2010



"What kind of pie is that?" my friend asked, pointing to the table next to ours.<br><br>"Chess." The waitress answered without even looking. "Best dessert in the house."<br><br>It was your classic meat and three, right down to the sound effects. The busboy was busily clanging plates; the waitress called everybody honey.<br><br>"What in the world is chess pie?" she returned to reading her menu.<br><br>Together we blurted: You're not from here, are you?<br><br>Living on the edge, my Northern friend said, "What the heck" and ordered up a piece, as I commenced to tell her the story.<br><br>Chess pie, for those of us who are from here, is that lovely (if not deadly) concoction of eggs, sugar and butter that will put you into a diabetic coma if you aren't careful. Its basic ingredients rival those going into our more traditional Thanksgiving favorite, pecan pie (chess being a similar, though less expensive, non-topped version).<br><br>Several stories exist for its name, including one suggesting the original was not chess at all, but rather "chest" pie, as it was rumored these pies were made with so much sugar you could store them in a pie chest without refrigeration.<br><br>But the more colorful explanation (and the one I subscribe to) is that the original chess pie was discovered if not created in the deep South where both name and recipe were gifts of a lowly plantation servant. The story goes like this.<br><br>When the delectable aroma of a new pie made its way from the kitchen, the misses of the house asked her cook, "What are you baking that smells so sweet?"<br>Humbled, the servant uttered "pie" thus prompting the misses to ask, "But what kind of pie?"<br><br>With no formal name ever given it, the reply came with a shrug, "It's jes' pie." <br>And from this, we've been calling it "chess pie" ever since.<br><br><i>Karlen Evins's latest is:<br>"Southern to the Core: An Evins Family Cookbook"<br>Your feedback is always welcome at <br>www.karlenevins.com</i><br><br> I Didn't Know That: "Chess Pie"
   from Feb 13, 2010



I'm often asked if Southerners have the corner on the market when it comes to curious phrases and expressions. While I tend to think we might use them more in our everyday speech, it could be that I'm just partial to my roots.<br><br>Case in point: "Land o' Goshen" (an expression right up there with "Heaven's to Betsy", but unlike Betsy's heaven, "Land o' Goshen" was a very real place).<br><br>Located along Egypt's Nile Delta, the original "Land o' Goshen" was a stretch of primo property, historically known for its lush, plush pastures that made it particularly desirable for grazing sheep and cattle.<br><br>First referenced in Genesis 45:10, "Land o' Goshen" was that land offered by Joseph (of coat of many colors fame) as the new home for his father and his brothers (brothers who had earlier, sold him into slavery owing to their jealousy of him).<br><br>Two years into Egypt's seven year famine (the famine first predicted in Pharoah's dream of fat and skinny cows), Joseph's family is offered the "Land of Goshen" as it was conveniently nestled between Canaan and Egypt.<br><br>Specifically, we're told:<br>"And thou shalt dwell in the Land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and they children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all thou hast."<br><br>With five more years of famine still on the horizon, Joseph implores his brothers to bring his father (Jacob) and move to the "Land of Goshen".a windfall of a gift in light of the cruel manner in which his brothers had treated him earlier. The scriptural reference is to one of the Bible's first land grants offered by a once hated brother, who takes forgiveness to a whole new level.<br><br>Today's expression is an exclamation similar to "Well, for goodness sakes!" It indicates a good outcome, coming from the last thing (or person) you'd expect.<br><br><i>Karlen Evins, author of<br>"I Didn't Know That Comes from the Bible"<br>welcomes your feedback at<br>www.karlenevins.com</i><br> I Didn't Know That "Land O' Goshen"
   from Feb 6, 2010



In addition to researching the origins behind words and phrases, my "I Didn't Know That" brain is likewise curious to know the origins behind certain traditions, for instance "Something Old/Something New" at weddings, or why candles are customary on birthday cakes.<br><br>With the recent passing of my father, my curiosity took on new depths as I lived each custom first hand, and in so doing, wanted to know just who to thank for coming up with it.<br><br>Customs like the obituary, for instance. While dating back to the printing press itself, we can thank John Delane, editor of the London Times, who in the late 1800s decided a person's life deserved more than statistical data, and thus birthed the popular notion of publishing a short story on the life of the person instead.<br><br>Who knew that today's visitation (once called the "wake") was born of necessity (not mere emotional support) as the period between death and burial (pre-embalming) too often found some "waking up"( prompting family to keep a customary vigil for two to three days prior to the burial). <br><br>Who knew that flowers and wreaths date back to Neanderthal days. that when archaeologists found pollen caked on skeletal remains, they surmised that flowers buried with the body were done so to gain favor with the gods?<br><br>Who knew that the pall (originally of bright fabrics, not mere flowers) traced to the Middle Ages, where it was customary for families to leave these rich tapestries behind so the Church could make new vestments for its clergy ?<br><br>Who knew that wearing black was not a fad, but rather an attempt to disguise the bereaved from returning spirits?<br><br>Who knew that casseroles were not for consumption, but originally a food offering for the gods?<br><br>While my mind busies itself with the history of sacred customs shared across the ages, my heart finds warmth in knowing I'm not alone in looking for ways to process this mystery called death. <br> I Didn't Know That: "Funeral Customs And Their Origins"
   from Jan 23, 2010



The good thing about Nashville (and there are many) is that you're never too far from a musician. I was in such a gathering recently, when the topic turned to jokes. More specifically "Nashville Jokes" wherein various musicians became the proverbial blonde in the equation.<br><br><u>Case in point:</u><br><br>How do you get a drummer off your porch? <br>(Answer: Pay him for the pizza.)<br><br>What do you call a harmonica player with a beeper?<br>(Answer: an optimist)<br><br>How do you find a guitarist in a Nashville restaurant?<br>(Answer: Just holler "Hey waiter!")<br><br>Oddly enough, we couldn't think of any real jokes about fiddlers, and it was theorized that that's because fiddle playin' is one of the toughest instruments to play, hence finding a good one can be a little tougher than finding a back up singer or someone to play the tambourine.<br><br>But then the question was "Who in the world came up with DRUNK as a fiddler?" If they are prized among musicians, does it not stand to reason you'd need to be sober as a fiddler to crank out a tune? Was this because one can look quite inebriated when flying so fast on the bow?<br><br>To appreciate the meaning of this one, you have to go back to the origins of fiddle-playing as a profession (as in the mother country: i.e. England). Curiously, the fiddler being one of the more unique instruments of the day, meant that if you were poor and could afford only one instrument at your event, the fiddle was most likely your pick.<br><br>The most common gigs were weddings and wakes and when peasants couldn't afford a musician, it was customary for the fiddlers to play for food and drink. Many earned the reputation of taking full advantage of this trade and from this the phrase, "Drunk as a fiddler!" was born!<br><br>Karlen Evins, author of "I Didn't Know That"<br>welcomes your feedback at www.karlenevins.com<br><br> I Didn't Know That: "Drunk as a Fiddler"
   from Jan 15, 2010



Given that our Christmas holiday folded neatly into the weekend, my friend was looking for something special to offer her patrons for that time between Christmas and New Year's. "Why don't you show "It's a Wonderful Life?" said I ( the girl who can never see that movie enough). Christmas will be over," I'm chided. "Everyone will be focused on New Years."<br><br>"Which makes it perfect" I remind her, "since the last scene in the movie sings that song we all know and love." <br><br>It was the perfect timing for trivia. Starting with Auld Lang Syne.<br><br>The meaning? "Long, long ago" or "Days gone by" depending on your translator.<br>But what about those other New Year's traditions?<br><br>For instance, New Year's Eve. Why the parties, the noise makers, the Mardi Gras atmosphere? <br><br>Curiously the original was a solstice party, symbolic attempts by primitive cultures to show order out of chaos. (I've been to parties that have mastered the latter. The "order" usually comes once the last guest leaves.)<br><br>As with Mardi Gras, the masks represent spirits of the dead. <br><br>The noise? Well, that's about scaring off demons (a.k.a. today's unwanted guests).<br><br>Originally a celebration of winter solstice, today's transitional week between Christmas and New Years is replaced by primordial instincts to return things to a mall. Where before, the week long celebration involving drinking and yelling (the entire shebang culminating into one somber day of confession and purification), today we revert quietly to a custom of New Year's resolutions). <br><br>As for "Auld Lang Syne," the original lyric traces to a number of folk sources, but the most well known was written in 1788 by Scotland's national poet Robert Burns. An anthem made popular by the Scots, "Auld Lang Sine" has become the sentimental point of partying demarcation, wherein we pause long enough to remember the reason for the season and appreciate the year that was.<br><br><br>Karlen Evins, author<br>"I Didn't Know That"<br>welcomes your feedback at<br>www.karlenevins.com<br><br> I Didn't Know That: "Auld Lang Syne"
   from Jan 8, 2010



Last week I received a newsletter explaining the symbolism for "12 Days of Christmas", Specifically, the story claimed that Roman Catholics from 1558 to 1829, unable to practice their faith openly, created this carol for young children as a mnemonic device to help them remember key components of the Bible. <br><br>Specifically, the symbolisms were said to be:<br><br><b>Partridge</b> - Jesus Christ<br><br><b>Turtle Doves</b> - Old and New Testament<br><br><b>French Horns</b> - faith, hope and love <br><br><b>Calling Birds</b> - the four gospels (Matthew, <br>Mark, Luke and John)<br><br><b>Golden Rings</b> - the Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament)<br><br><b>Geese-a-Laying</b> - six days of creation<br><br><b>Swans-a-Swimming</b> - seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: (prophesy, serving, teaching, exhortation, contribution, leadership and mercy)<br><br><b>Maids-a-Milking</b> - eight beatitudes<br><br><b>Ladies Dancing</b> - nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:(love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)<br><br><b>Lords-a-Leaping</b> - Ten Commandments.<br><br><b>Eleven Pipers Piping</b> - eleven faithful disciples.<br><br><b>Twelve Drummers Drumming</b> - the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed. <br><br>While many question the historical accuracy of this account and Snopes is quick to debunk it entirely, there are church historians that stick with this story. But curiously, most every symbol in the song had pagan roots (for instance, the Phoenician goddess of love was said to be hatched from an egg warmed by two doves). <br><br>But before you let this debate ruin your family gathering, keep in mind it was not uncommon for cultures to embrace symbols from another adding to them new meaning for a new audience (which would make the 12 Days of Christmas the original crossover hit).<br><br>What we do know is those 12 days begin on December 25th (not before Christmas) and they end with the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6th). <br><br>As for the song, it first appeared as a children's book in 1780, and was first recorded by James O. Halliwell in 1842.<br><br><i>Karlen Evins, author of<br>"I Didn't Know That Comes From the Bible"<br>Welcomes your feedback at <br>www.karlenevins.com</i><br><br>::::second::::<br><br> I Didn't Know That: "The 12 Days Of Christmas"
   from Dec 25, 2009



It's one of those phrases that makes you feel like you're quoting scripture. And perhaps that's the comfort when we utter it, as it sounds a little holier than our everyday speech (even when referencing the most worldly of things --like finding that Wii game right there on the shelf just in time for Christmas).<br><br>Such was my case last week while lamenting mall traffic and my own poor timing. I was about to give up when "lo and behold" there was a space, right near the door!<br><br>As if Gabrielle himself had come down to direct traffic, I found myself saying (to no one there) "Well, "lo and behold" there's a spot right there!"<br><br>For the record, the words "lo" and "behold" do appear in scripture, 16 times to be exact, but interestingly enough, the two words are never once shown together in the way that we reference them today. <br><br>From Genesis 15:3 to Matthew 28:7, the combination of "lo" and "behold" are used to exclaim something extraordinary (like when Abraham learns he will father a nation or when Jesus' disciples discover he has risen). It's not that the words aren't IN the text. It's just that they aren't spoken in the order in which we say them today. (In scriptural context, you'll find "behold's" always precede the "lo's" and most often with several words in between.)<br><br>By definition, "lo" (which came to us through the Middle English) translates "Look!" (as in an expression of utter surprise.) Adding "behold" lends more emphasis. <br><br>Why we turned them around, I cannot say, but it is safe to say the phrase often credited to the Bible, is in fact, quite secular. And while yes, it has a scriptural flair, "lo and behold" is otherwise just a polished up version of "Well would you take a look at that!"<br><br>Taken from "I Didn't Know That Comes from the Bible" by Karlen Evins ( www.karlenevins.com)<br><br>::::third::::<br><br><br> I Didn't Know That: "Lo And Behold"
   from Dec 19, 2009



With all the focus we put on the days leading up to Christmas, I always find it fascinating to think that in other countries it's the day AFTER Christmas that garners all the attention.<br><br>In Canada, it's called Boxing Day.In London, it's the busiest day of the year. December 26th (unless Christmas falls on Saturday) represents a tradition hailing back to Victorian times, that is only somewhat catching on in the US. But believe it or not, Boxing Day in its original form, was quite the spiritual holiday.<br><br>The day after Christmas was a medieval celebration in which the rich would box up their gifts and take them to the poor (and also their servants). A bonafide regifting plan gone national, over time, Boxing Day would extend to include those children who traditionally opened their "money boxes" the day after Christmas.<br> <br>For us, it's just another trip to the mall.<br>For the religious, however, the day is quite spiritual in origin as the Feast of St. Stephen (i.e. Christian Saint's Day celebrated on December 26th or December 27th in the Eastern tradition) commemorates St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr and the person referenced in the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas."<br><br>In the song, the king heads out to give alms of meat, wine, and pine logs to a poor peasant on this saintly day after Christmas. Along the way, his apprentice falls prey to the elements, and is healed in the end, by the king's warmth and a miracle visit marked by footprints in the snow.<br> <br>A public holiday in Commonwealths such as England, Wales, Ireland, Italy, Australia and New Zealand, Boxing Day is to us, just another opportunity to stand in long lines. But like so many things we now take for granted, the original goes much deeper, commemorating a day as holy as Christmas itself. <br><br><i>Karlen Evins, author of<br>"I Didn't Know That"<br>welcomes your feedback.<br>www.karlenevins.com</i><br> I DIdn't Know That: "Boxing Day"
   from Dec 11, 2009



Perhaps it comes with the holidays. Or maybe it's the company I keep.<br><br>But invariable, when asked what I do for a living, someone will toss me something I've heard all my life, but never got around to writing about. Given the long holiday weekend, the family, friends and football crowds, well, I should've seen it coming.<br><br>So what about "hair of the dog that bit ya?" her obnoxious boyfriend asked.<br><br>"What about it?"<br><br>"Well, that's MY secret! Just keep on drinking so as to never get a hangover!"<br><br>Clearly he knew what it meant. And obviously it was working for him. But even though I knew he wouldn't remember a thing I told him about the origin of the phrase, I took a shot at explaining it all the same.<br><br>Most trace this expression to the pubs of merry ol' England where more than a few colorful expressions were born (such as hobnobbing, off the cuff, etc.) But in truth, the notion behind the phrase traces to Roman days, where it was once believed that the hair of a rabid dog could both heal physical wounds and ward off evil spirits.<br><br>Not too terribly far off from how our vaccines work today, it was believed that by taking a small dose of a toxin that could kill you, your body could build up a tolerance, thus warding off the larger consequences of the illness.<br><br>As for this notion pertaining to alcohol, well, some credit William Shakespeare; others go back to John Heywood's poem Proverbs (1546) when tracing dog hairs to hangovers.<br><br>In a nutshell, it's like cures like, a concept not much different from fighting fire with fire (or in the case of alcohol, firewater with firewater). While the phrase (and derivations thereof) go back hundreds of years, the concept dates back to Hippocrates (father of the Hippocratic oath).<br><br><i>Karlen Evins, author of<br>"I Didn't Know That"<br>welcomes your feedback at<br>www.karlenevins.com</i><br> I Didn't Know That: "Hair Of The Dog"
   from Dec 4, 2009



No matter how many times you tell some stories, certain expressions bear repeating, especially when the phrase itself becomes synonymous with a particular holiday. As is the case all too often in this phrase game of "I Didn't Know That," some classics are handed down like your grandmother's china pattern and today's phrase is one such example.<br><br>Ladies and gentlemen, today we're going to talk turkey.<br><br>An expression used year round, talking turkey suggests that you're getting down to brass tacks (a phrase we'll save for another time). In short, it means you're talking frank (and I don't mean hot dogs). I mean gut level honest. (Gut level being yet another expression that will have to keep for now.)<br><br>Whether myth or legend, story has it, the first turkey talk was attributable to a pre-Thanksgiving exchange wherein a white man and a native American Indian go to divvying up their take after a day of hunting birds.<br><br>According to my sources, the spoils of this hunt consisted of three crows and two wild turkeys, the exchange for which spawned the phrase.<br><br>First, the white man gives the Indian a crow, taking for himself a turkey. Next he gives the Indian another crow, and takes for himself the second turkey. In what appears to be a 3 to 2 exchange, the white man extends his hand to give the Indian the third crow, at which point the Indian objects, only for the white man to point out that the Indian was given three birds to his two. It is at this point (we're told) that the Indian wisely replies, "We stop talk birds, we now talk turkey."<br><br>As to whether this exchange truly happened, well who can say? But the bottom line is that talking turkey is a sure fire way to cut to the chase.<br><br><i>Karlen Evins, author of the<br>"I Didn't Know That" series<br>welcomes your feedback<br>at www.karlenevins.com</i><br><br><br> I Didn't Know That: "Talking Turkey"
   from Nov 28, 2009



With Thanksgiving upon us and shopping season on its heels, it's the perfect tribute to talking turkey to reflect on that other winged expression: Poor as Job's Turkey, (a phrase describing a person who doesn't have two nickels to rub together).<br><br>You might recall from the Old Testament that Job was a wealthy man as his story opens. And though he loses everything when Satan dares God to test his servant's faith, Job's turkey never gets so much as a gobble in the text. So what gives?<br><br>Well, here's what we know. Scripture tells us Job had 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 donkeys in his happier days, but there is not one scriptural reference to a turkey. So who's to credit for this expression synonymous with utter poverty?<br><br>Opening lines in the book of Job describe a holy man who feared God and lived justly. Scripture tells us he was wealthy, though his faith was tested when his worldly possessions, his health and his family were taken from him.<br><br>It's an excruciatingly miserable story.perhaps one of the most troubling books in the Bible. But reference to a single, sickly bird is nowhere to be found. Turns out, there's a reason for that... Job's Turkey is the invention of the 19th century humorist, Thomas Haliburton. <br><br>Descriptions by the Canadian creator tell us Job's turkey had but one feather and was so frail he had to prop himself against a barn just to gobble.<br><br>He was pitiful; but he wasn't scriptural.<br><br>Not to make light of one of the most theologically debated books in the Bible, this much we know: despite his status, despite his trials, Job remained grateful and faithful to the end.<br><br>May this be our Thanksgiving reminder.<br><br>Here's wishing you and yours a blessed one~<br><br><i>From "I Didn't Know That <br>Comes from the Bible"<br>by Karlen Evins. <br>www.karlenevins.com</i><br> I Didn't Know That: "Poor as Job's Turkey"
   from Nov 22, 2009



Nothing like a good sail to get things going. (By sail I mean in the nautical sense. Not the sell of a house or pre-Christmas sale sense.)<br><br>Ever amazed at how common place our many colorful phrases, once you start watching for them, you'll find they are splattered everywhere: from newscasts, to television soaps to our day-to-day conversations.<br><br>Case in point: it's that time of year again. It's cold and flu season. In response to the newscasts, the advertisers go crazy with all things "remedy" for when you're under the weather.<br><br>One of many nautical phrases, under the weather has nothing to do with being under a cloud that's raining on you. Rather it has to do with being in the belly of a boat on a storm-tossed sea. As many a wayfaring sailor will tell you, there is nothing worse than seasickness, and nothing worse to prompt it than an ocean squall.<br><br>To remedy that nauseating feeling in the days before Dramamine, early sailors found that getting as close to center of the vessel could minimize the rocking and stabilize your middle ear, which is what drives that internal wave that makes you want to toss your cookies. <br><br>Meanwhile, above board that same storm that made you sick, made for lashing ropes and tethered rigs in its aftermath, leaving many a poor sailor at loose ends as to how to fix it. (A phrase describing an unsettled emotional state, more than anything physical).<br><br>So the weather hits. You get sick. The rigs get rattled. You calm your stomach. You fix your sails. And what happens next?<br><br>Why you set your sails. You share chew the fat while you drink. And you pray you don't come away three sheets to the wind or as drunk as a sailor in the process!<br><br>Long live the high seas!<br><br><i>Karlen Evins, author of<br>"I Didn't Know That Comes from the Bible"<br>welcomes your feedback at <br>www.karlenevins.com</i><br> I Didn't Know That: "Nautical Phrases"
   from Nov 13, 2009



"I had no idea you lived this far out!"<br><br>My car overheated and my friend was kind enough to give me a lift home.<br>The good news was, the drive was gorgeous. It was a perfect fall day. The bad news? The road to my place is long and very curvy. You have to slow down whether you want to or not.<br><br>Zooming out on the GPS I showed her where we were. "Technically, it's not that far. As the crow flies it's less than a mile. But this road's going to take you about six to get there."<br><br>"OK. Let's hear it." (My friends have grown used to such moments.)<br><br>"As the crow flies.What country bumpkin made that one up?"<br><br>Actually it is a country expression. Only it wasn't our country that invented it. Instead, you must go back to the mother country (aka Great Britain) to trace this one.<br><br>An expression that's been credited to everything from blackbirds on a phone line to the Croix Indians fleeing from the white man, the original flying crows were neither. Instead they hailed from sailing ships of old, wherein crows were carried on boats to be used in the event of an emergency.<br><br>Story has it that early British vessels packed crows in their hulls as a safety measure against fog or inclement weather. Turns out, crows loathe large bodies of water and will instinctively head to the nearest landmass if released at sea. As a result, the phrase as the crow flies has come to mean the shortest distance from point to point.<br><br>As an extra added bonus I offered "It's also why we call the lookout on a boat, the crow's nest to this very day."<br><br>Rolling her eyes, she quipped, "Why, I didn't know that!" to which I replied, "Yeah. I know. I oughta write a book."<br><br><br> I Dind't Know That: "As The Crow Flies"
   from Nov 6, 2009



There's something about October.<br><br>As if the crisp air and fall leaves weren't enough to send you running for your stadium blanket, I'm fond of any month that makes orange nature's color of choice. What's more, I'm a nut about Halloween, if for no other reason than it kicks off the more sacred holidays ahead.<br><br>No offense to Halloween, but our obsessive focus on Freddy Krueger, chain saw massacres and all things horrific isn't where I like to dwell mentally. But I do appreciate the day for which our modern day Halloween was born, namely All Saint's Day.<br><br>Truth be told, were it not for All Saint's Day there would be no Halloween as we know it, for the word "Halloween" is nothing more than a slurring of "All Hallow's Eve." (It's the eve before the day commemorating saints throughout Christendom, which today falls on November 1st.)<br><br>All Saints' Day was born of a custom that honored a martyr's death date (which would also be his heavenly "birth" day) with an all night vigil at that saint's grave, tomb or shrine, after which communion was shared. By the fourth century (and with thousands of martyrs and only 365 days in the year.you do the math) someone decided to consolidate the many celebrations into one, honoring the saints en masse. (Think President's Day, only holier.)<br><br>Originally, the day was commemorated on the Sunday after Pentecost. But Pope Gregory III moved the date to November 1st to counter earlier pagan celebrations honoring the dead (which is where most of our Halloween traditions come from). November 2nd, on the other hand, commemorates All Soul's Day, in which Catholics honor their departed faithful, and/or praying for those who died before they were sanctified (in posthumous effort to reserve them a place in heaven).<br>___________________________<br><br><i>Karlen Evins, author of "I Didn't Know That Comes from the Bible" welcomes your feedback at www.karlenevins.com</i><br> I Didn't Know That: "Halloween / All Saint's Day"
   from Oct 29, 2009


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