Interesting information

Expressions Explained, Part I

In George Washington's days, there were no cameras.

One's image was either sculpted or painted.

Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk
with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both
arms.

Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to
be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted.

Arms and legs are "limbs," therefore painting them would cost the buyer more.

Hence the expression, "Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg."

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As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year
(May and October)!

Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because
of lice and bugs) and wore wigs.

Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool.

They couldn't wash the wigs.

So, to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in
the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes.

The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term "big wig."

Today we often use the term "here comes the Big Wig" because someone
appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.

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In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair.

Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, and was used for dining.

The "head of the household" always sat in the chair while everyone
else ate sitting on the floor.

Occasionally, a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit
in this chair during a meal.

To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge.

They called the one sitting in the chair the "chair man."

Today in business, we use the expression or title "Chairman" or
"Chairman of the Board."

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Personal hygiene left much room for improvement.

As a result, many women and men had developed acne scars by adulthood.

The women would spread bee's wax over their facial skin to smooth out
their complexions.

When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at
another woman's face she was told, "mind your own bee's wax."

Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term "crack a smile."

In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would
melt...therefore, the expression "losing face."

Expressions Explained, Part II

Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front.

A proper and dignified woman, as in "straight laced," wore a tightly tied lace.

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Common entertainment included playing cards.

However, there was a tax levied when purchasing playing cards but only
applicable to the "Ace of Spades."

To avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards instead.

Yet, since most games require 52 cards, these people were thought to
be stupid or dumb because they weren't "playing with a full deck."

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Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what
the people considered important.

Since there were no telephones, TV's or radios the politicians sent
their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars.

They were told to "go sip some ale" and listen to people's
conversations and political concerns.

Many assistants were dispatched at different times.

You go sip here" and "You go sip there."

The two words "go sip" were eventually combined when referring to the
local opinion and, thus we have the term "gossip."

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At local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint and
quart-sized containers.

A bar maid's job was to keep an eye on the customers and keep the drinks coming.

She had to pay close attention and remember who was drinking in
"pints" and who was drinking in "quarts," hence the term minding your
"P's and Q's."