Jennifro

MIND YOUR OWN BEESWAX

Bet you don't know what this post is about.  You think I'm about to go off on someone right? Not right.  Not even close.  As I've mentioned before, I'm a lover of the history of language and the origins of words and expressions.  Not that I study it or anything, I just think it's fascinating to ponder how modern language has evolved.  Tonight I found a little book I have been looking for called "Puttin' on the Dog"  that I bought in Williamsburg.  It's such a sparkly little gem of information.  I thought you might enjoy some of the interesting tidbits I've just learned.  It's pretty cool to realize that many of the expressions we still use today came from our Colonial ancestors (those folks down there) and that at one time they were totally legit and quite literal.  Pretty interesting to think about what they originally meant vs.  how we use them now.

Por ejemplo did you know that in Colonial Times women wanted to appear frail and delicate to attract men, (we've traded that look for fake boobs and bleached hair) so they'd melt beeswax mixed with lead compound and smear it on their face to achieve the "white look"  (all the rage to look sick apparently). In order to keep their faces from melting in the sun or  before a roaring fire, they'd wear a gauze mask over the top to "Save Face.".  And when wearing their lovely wax layer, they had to be careful never to "Crack a Smile." A woman who was annoying or gossipy was often told to "Mind Your Own Beeswax."  Interesting...right?  Are you hooked?

When kids were told to set the table it wasn't with knives and forks.  It meant take the board that's hanging from the kitchen rafters and set it on the trestle legs.  "Set the Table" near the fire or the door, depending on the season.  Needless to say, these tables weren't very stable so it was considered rude to "Put Your Elbows on the Table" as you might overturn it.

For all you romantics out there...  When a young gentleman goes to court his girlfriend, her family would usually give him a stick of wood to whittle--to keep his hands busy (no joke--they were frisky back then too!). Most times he would whittle a spoon for the family--that's why courting was known as "Spooning."  Hmmm....meant something a little different at BYU!

Here's one that will send Rover running! Back in the day comfortable shoes were very hard to come by.  They wouldn't come as a pair cause there was no right or left.  They were alternated each day to wear evenly.  Children's shoes were made really large and stuffed with rags to be taken out as their feet grew.  The best shoes were made of animal skins, and since nothing is wasted, this includes the family dog (actually pretty sweet if you think about it--like taking him on a walk everyday--even when he's dead).  When the dog dies he's not buried in the back yard but taken to the tanner and made into Reeboks!  However, they were their best shoes so when worn they'd say they were "Putting on the Dog."  Also, when their feet hurt, they'd say their "Dogs are Barking."

On a different note, slaveowners found that their slaves were happier when they were allowed to sing.  On many occasions they would entertain their master and mistresses in the evening with their songs.  Soon their owners began rewarding the ones they most enjoyed with cake.  In fact, the best act would "Take the Cake."

How bout one more? Macaroni was introduced to the colonies and was a very big hit. It was very fashionable to serve and became the slang term for everything and anything fashionable. If they wanted to compliment a lady's dress they'd say "I like your dress. It's really macaroni."

Hence, this is why Yankee Doodle called his feather, "Macaroni."  Don't tell me you haven't always wondered about that one!  

Just a few quickies on your way out.  When people came to visit, there wasn't much to offer in way of snacks...(pre-pretzel days) BUT... there was a nice dried pig hanging over the fireplace. Nothing shameful about slicing off a hunk and "Chewing the Fat" for awhile.  And every one knew back then that when you sneezed you were expelling the devil out yo' nose.  In order to keep Satan from freakin' turning around and going back up your nostrils, someone would quickly say "God Bless You."  

I bet you learned something dint' cha?  And just think....

someday our Great-great-great-great-great-great Grandchildren will be telling their kids, "Now you know Betty, that once upon a time "Surfing the Internet" actually meant........