Louis Posted December 9, 2006 Report Share Posted December 9, 2006 Or did you also know this? I discovered this fact today. When someone says they are flogging a dead horse I thought they meant that I am trying to sell a dead horse that nobody wants. Why would anyone want to buy a dead horse, especially from me? Today, I have discovered that its referring to the old style flog and it means whipping the horse like they do in the races.. treating a dead horse like its involved in a race is pointless as it will never go any faster no matter how much you flog it therefore still pointless but for a different reason. Are there any old phrases that you didn't or dont understand the meaning of? It might make a funny topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted December 9, 2006 Report Share Posted December 9, 2006 "Not enough room to swing a cat" Navy saying - the cat-o-nine tails was used as a punishment and had to be done above decks for the simple reason the was not enough room to swing a cat, "Three square meals a day" Navy saying - the shape of the plate fitted into a framework which was square to prevent it moving around in choppy seas. "Bite the bullet" Army saying - when cartridges came in one piece and to move on to the next target a soldier had to bit the bullet in order to proceed. "Sling your hook" Navy saying - meaning go to bed, prepare to get your hammock sorted slung between two hooks. ATB Mac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted December 9, 2006 Report Share Posted December 9, 2006 I've got a copy of "Brewers dictionary of Phrase and Fable" which was originally published in 1894. Full of the derivation of loads of sayings...random example..Dutch Courage.. In the Dutch wars (in the time of Charles II) the captain of the Hollander man-of-war, when about to engage withour ships, usually set a hogshead of Brandy abroach before the mast and bid the men drink, and our men felt the force of the Brandy to their cost. Some fascinating stuff in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted December 10, 2006 Report Share Posted December 10, 2006 Flogging off gets me all the time.... Down under to Flog or if something is Flogged it is in fact STOLEN. Got caught with that lil culutural literacy issue a cple times now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob W Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 (edited) as fit as a fiddle ...are fiddles particulaly fit? as clean as a whistle ...are whistles particulaly clean? Edited December 11, 2006 by bluerob78 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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