Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 March 1920 — Some Phrases in Common Use Date Baek to Mother Country; Reflect Customs Long Dead [ARTICLE]

Some Phrases in Common Use Date Baek to Mother Country; Reflect Customs Long Dead

Many a phrase In common use today dates back to the mother country, England, and reflects old customs, long dead. Long ago In the days of feudalism the dependents of a baron or feudal lord displayed his badge pinned on their sleeves. Sometimes, while on an expedition of their own, these vassals exchanged their badge for that of anether, to prevent recognition. This gave rise to the saying: “You may wear the badge, but I cannot pin my faith on your sleeve; I require some further evidence whence you came.” To this day, we hear the expression do not “pin your faith-on it.” _ Another phrase of old origin came. from an Incident of the sixteenth century at Westminster. In December, 1540, the abbey church of St. Peter was constituted a cathedral, with a resident bishop. Ten years later this order was revoked, the diocese of Westminster being united to that of St. Paul’s cathedral. Its revenues were granted toward the repairs of the latter church, that Is, taken from St Peter’s and given to St Paul’s. So we refer to an event which happened almost four centuries ago when we speak of robbing Peter to pay Paul.