Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1904 — Origin of Commonplace Phrases. [ARTICLE]

Origin of Commonplace Phrases.

Expressions that we use nowadays metaphorically were used in their real sense in bygone days. For instance, we speak about “beating a retreat,” forgetting perhaps that the phrase comes from the fact that in war time when a retreat was ordered the drums were beaten in a particular manner, Just as today it is sounded on the bugle. Then again one speaks of going off “bag and baggage.” How many know what the “baggage” was? The general idea is that it was part of the soldier’s kit. In point of fact the “bag” was originally the soldier’s haversack; the “baggage” was his wife. The familiar phrase “to give the cold shoulder” originated in France, where it was the custom to serve with cold shoulder of mutton instead of hot meat a guest who had outstayed his welcome. “A feather in his cap” comes from Hungary, it being formerly the custom for the Hungarians to put a feather in their caps for every Turk they killed. The word “deadhead” is, according to some authorities, one of great antiquity. It is said that a “deadhead” was in rompeli an individual who gained admission to an entertainment free of charge by means of a pass in the form of a small ivory death’s head.