Did you ever wonder how certain words or phrases
originated? While on my quest to learn whether
or not a specific word was used during the 1600's, I was amazed to learn how many
medieval words and phrases we still use today. I've listed a few of the more
common ones.
BAKER'S DOZEN – Sometimes 13 is
said to be a "Baker's Dozen". In Medieval times, bakers tried to
save materials and ingredients by cheating the customer. Instead of wrapping
up the 12 purchased, bakers would often give them 10 or less of the item. By
the time the customer realized he'd been cheated, it was too late. The problem
became so prolific that laws were passed with strict punishments on bakers
whose practice it was to cheat their customers. Because of the harsh
penalties, instead of the normal 12 in a dozen, bakers added a 13th to ensure
they were following the law
CAUGHT YOU RED-HANDED – During the 12th Century was the
practice of dipping a thief's hand in berry-dye. The dye soaked into the
skin, staining the hand for several weeks and served as public humiliation
for their conviction. Those who came across a person that was 'red-handed' knew
he was a thief.
BOUNCER - This term for a
bar or tavern doorman comes from the 13th Century. When someone entered a
tavern it was customary to pay a small fee (usually one brass or copper coin)
to ensure against damages and that the customer did not slip out without
paying. Since there was a wide variety of foreign coinage, a man would stand
at the door and literally bounce the coins he was given off of a wet piece of
wood. If the coins 'bounced' it meant that they were genuinely copper or
brass and not counterfeits made of lead.
FREELANCE – This term was
first used during the reign of William of Normandy. He promised to reward
every "free lance" (weapon carrier) that joined his conquest of
England with lands, title and money.
DAMN IT – This phrase has
its beginnings around 722 AD. The Anglo-Saxon term for Viking was
"Damut." When Viking longboats were spotted it was a warning for
the sentries to shout "Damut" as loud as possible.
CORPSE – This word comes
from the 1400s when the Black Plague was raging across Europe. The bodies
were piled in a building called a "Corpselium" where they were burned
in hopes of stopping the spread of infection.
XEROX – Now days the name
of a famous brand of copy machines, Xerox was an Anglo-Saxon scribe who
copied Norman and Saxon history by hand into the languages of English,
German, French and Latin. His extensive work of copying documents led to his
name being honored by the company that designed the famous machine.
GIVE SOMEONE THE COLD
SHOULDER – Lords and nobles were often faced with the problem of getting rid of
unwanted guests at feasts and gatherings. An unwanted guest was served a cold
shoulder of meat; the toughest and least desirable portion of a roast, which
often gave the guest enough of a hint that they would leave.
THROW DOWN THE
GAUNTLET - Throwing down a gauntlet (the armored piece that protected the hands
of a knight) was symbolic of challenging someone to a duel. The first
"thrown down gauntlet" took place in 1462 when Sir William de
Haverford threw his gauntlets and other pieces of armor on his lord's dining
table protesting unpaid wages. He had no intention of starting a battle, but
Geoffrey drew his weapon and his lord was killed. As word of the victory
spread, "Throwing Down The Gauntlet" became a symbolic gesture for
an open duel.
WEAR YOUR HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE – This phrase originated during 1255
when knights would wear the symbol of their family crest or heraldry on their
sleeves when they went into battle—and encouraged the knight to defend his
family's honor. Later, in 1303 A.D. it came to imply a lover, accomplishment
or rank
DON'T KILL THE
MESSENGER – This well known term originated in the 13th Century when messengers
were dispatched to rival houses and kingdoms to deliver news. Upon receiving
an unfavorable message, the receiver would often express his or her rage by
slaying or imprisoning the messenger. Laws were eventually enacted to protect
them from such treatment.
GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE! - This phrase comes from the 13th
Century. At that time Nobles were given a taller breed of horse to ride as a
symbol of their status and authority. Commoners would tell each other to
"Get off their high horses" when one of them acted as if he had
more authority then he actually did.
Gwyn Brodie
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