The History of Some Popular Phrases.

New Zealand Graphic, 6 April 1907, Page 45

The History of Some Popular Phrases.

Although in some cases several versions have been given of the origin of popular sayings, there are quite a number which can be traced to one authentic source, and the history of these is sometimes of rather a humorous character. “MY EYE AND BETTY MARTIN.” The origin of this phrase has been told by Dr. Butler, who was head master of Shrewsbury School and afterwards Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. It appears that many years ago a party of gipsies were apprehended and taken before a magistrate. The constable gave evidence against a very extraordinary woman, named Betty Martin. She became violently excited, rushed up to him and gave him a tremendous blow in the eye. After which the boys and rabble used to follow- the unfortunate officer with cries of “ My eye and Betty Martin.” ‘ MIND YOUR P’s AND Q’s.” Tliis expression arose from the ancient custom of hanging a slate behind the alehouse door, on which was written “ P ” and “Q” (pints or quarts) against the name of each customer, according to the quantity which he drank, and which was not expected to be paid for till Saturday evening, when he received his wages. “ CATCHING A TARTAR.” A native of the Emerald Isle is said to be responsible for this phrase. In a battle an Irishman called out to his officer: I have caught a Tartar!” “ Bring him here, then,” was the reply. “He won’t let me,” rejoined Pat, and, as the captive carried oil his captor, the saying caused much amusement, and has been a popular phrase ever since. Anyone who has witnessed the manufacture of a rustic whistle can be at no loss for the origin of thr saying, “ AS CLEAN AS A WHISTLE.” A piece of young ash, about 4in long and the thickness of a finger, is hammered all over with the handle of a knife until the bark is disengaged from the wood and capable of being drawn off. A notch and a cut or two having been made in the stick, the cuticle is replaced and the instrument is completed. When stripped of its covering, the white wood, with its colourless sap, presents the very acme of cleanness. “AS RIGHT A A TRIVET ” seems to have had its origin in the fact that a trivet, or any other utensil with three lees or points of support, will invariably stand firm, although these may not be exactly of the same height or length. The ease is, however, different with a four-legged stool, considerable skill and accuracy being required to ensure it resting on all four legs at once. Whether sign-painters ever take umbrage at hearing the phrase, “GRINNING LIKE A CHESHIRE CAT,” the writer does not profess to know. It was on account of the unskilful efforts of one of their fraternity, however, that the saying arose. Some years ago a signpainter of Cheshire attempted to represent a lion rampant, which was the crest of an influential family, on the signboards of many inns. But the lions were a failure, and resembled eats to such an extent that they were -Iways called by the more ignoble name. “AS MAD AS A HATTER.” One is at a loss to understand why a hatter should be made the type of insanity, rather than a tailor or a shoemaker. An authority, however, explained the origin in the following ingenious way. The French compare an incapable or weak-minded person to an oyster. “He reasons like an oyster,” they say, and it is suggested that, through the similarity of sound, the French huitre. may have "iven occasion to the English “hatter.” From “Il raisonne comme une huitre ” may have come out “ As mad bc a hatter.” “RAINING CATS AND DOGS.” This phrase is derived from the French word catadoupe, a waterfall; cats and dogs being the nearest approach- which John Bull can find for the expression. “AS DEAD AS A HERRING.” It may not be generally known that a heiiing dies immediately upon its removal from its native element from want of air. Auceustomed to swimming near the surface, it requires a good supply ol air, and so it conies about that the gills, when dry, cannot perform their function. Hence the saying, “As dead as a herring.’