We’ve all heard them: those colourful, often visceral, explanations for common phrases that paint a vivid picture of a bygone era. From urine-soaked tanneries to disease-ridden kitchens, these tales claim to reveal the gritty origins of our everyday language. But how much truth lies behind these popular historical anecdotes?
Here we delve into the murky depths of history and separate fact from fiction.
Expression: “Piss poor” and “not having a pot to piss in.”
Story: Urine was used to tan animal skins, so families would all contribute to a communal pot, which was then sold to the tannery daily. If this was your means of survival, you were considered ‘piss poor.’ But even worse off were those who couldn’t even afford a pot, those who ‘didn’t have a pot to piss in,’ and they were considered the absolute lowest of the low.
Fact or Fiction?: Fiction. While urine was used in tanning, the direct link to these phrases is tenuous at best. These expressions have a more complex and debated etymology, and are unlikely to be directly tied to this specific practice, for example according to sources like the Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest known use of “piss-poor” only dates to the 1940s, such as one in MacKinlay Kantor’s 1945 novel ‘Glory for Me; a novel about soldiers returning home from World War 2, depicting the desperate circumstances of the returning veterans and their struggling families.
Expression: “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”
Story: Bathing involved a large tub of heated water. The head of the household enjoyed the initial clean water, then came the sons and men, followed by the women, and lastly, the children. The babies were bathed at the very end. By that time, the water had become so murky that one could conceivably lose someone within it. This is often cited as the origin of the saying, ‘Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!
Fact or Fiction?: Fiction. While popular stories depict link these supposed 16th-century bathing habits to the proverb, this connection is largely fictional. In reality the proverb has German origins and isn’t tied to those specific hygiene practices. The idiom stems from the German phrase ‘das Kind mit dem Bade ausschütten,’ first recorded in Thomas Murner’s 1512 work, ‘Narrenbeschwörung’ (Appeal to Fools), which included a woodcut of a woman discarding a baby with bathwater. The proverb serves as a cautionary message, emphasizing the importance of retaining valuable elements while eliminating unwanted ones, a concept that gained prominence in English through Thomas Carlyle’s 19th-century writings, particularly his 1849 essay on slavery, where he adapted it to address complex societal issues.
Expression: “Upper crust”
Story: In older times, bread was a dietary staple and was meticulously divided according to social status. Workers received the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family enjoyed the middle, and guests, particularly those of higher standing, were given the prized top crust, or “upper crust,” demonstrating their elevated status within the social hierarchy.
Fact or Fiction?: Fact. The practice of reserving the best portion of bread for the upper classes accurately reflects the social hierarchies of the time. The phrase “upper crust” directly stems from this real-world practice, where even the distribution of food mirrored social stratification.
Expression: “Raining cats and dogs.”
Story: Homes were commonly topped with thatched roofs, dense layers of straw built up without a wooden base. This made them ideal warm shelters for animals, so cats, mice, and insects lived within the thatch. When rain made the roof slippery, these animals would sometimes slip and fall, leading to the explanation that ‘It’s raining cats and dogs.’
Fact or Fiction?: Fiction. This idiom’s origins are shrouded in historical ambiguity. While popular narratives often link it to animals falling from thatched roofs, this explanation lacks substantial evidence. The phrase’s earliest documented uses date back to the 17th century, with notable appearances in works by Henry Vaughan and Jonathan Swift. Several theories attempt to explain its origin, including the idea that it stemmed from the unsanitary conditions of 17th-century London, where heavy rains would wash debris and dead animals through the streets. Other theories point to mythological connections, linking dogs and wolves to Norse storm deities and cats to witches believed to ride storms. Additionally, possibilities arise from the obsolete word “catadupe,” meaning waterfall, and the Greek “kata doxa,” meaning contrary to belief. Regardless of the precise etymology, the phrase likely emerged from a combination of historical circumstances and cultural beliefs surrounding severe weather.
Expression: “Threshold” and “Dirt poor.”
Story: For most bare earth dirt floors were the norm; only the rich had alternatives, explaining ‘dirt poor.’ Wealthy homes often featured slippery slate floors, so they used straw, or thresh, for grip. This accumulated throughout winter, spilling out when the door opened. A wooden plank was added to the entrance, creating the ‘threshold.’
Fact or Fiction?: Fact. Historical records and architectural evidence support the claims made. These explanations are not merely anecdotal but reflect demonstrable historical realities.
Expression: “Bringing home the bacon” and “chewing the fat”
Story: When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could ‘bring home the bacon’. They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and ‘chew the fat’.
Fact or Fiction?: Fiction. While the story of displaying bacon as wealth and sharing it with guests reflects general social conditions of the time, the origins of “bringing home the bacon” and “chewing the fat” are more nuanced. “Bringing home the bacon” likely stems from medieval wrestling competitions, where a pig was the prize, or traditions like the Dunmow Flitch, where bacon rewarded marital harmony. Over time, it evolved to signify earning a living. Conversely, “chewing the fat” has strong nautical roots, originating from sailors spending time chewing tough, salted meat during long voyages while engaged in conversation. This practice became synonymous with casual chatter, eventually spreading to land-based conversations. Thus, while the anecdote captures the importance of food and social gatherings, it simplifies the complex and varied etymologies of these popular expressions.
Expression: “Turn a blind eye”
Story: During the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, Admiral Horatio Nelson, despite being ordered to withdraw by his superior, put his telescope to his blind eye and claimed he couldn’t see the signal, thus continuing the fight.
Fact or Fiction?: Fact. The incident described is a well-documented historical event. Admiral Nelson’s act of defiance, using his blindness as a convenient excuse, is a verifiable moment in naval history. By deliberately choosing to ignore a direct order, Nelson’s action created the very essence of the phrase. He demonstrated the act of intentionally overlooking something, especially something one should have addressed. This specific moment of calculated disregard gave rise to the idiom’s meaning: to deliberately ignore or pretend not to notice something, particularly wrongdoing.
Expression: “Saved by the bell,” and “Dead ringer”
Story: The limited space in England’s older cemeteries necessitated the practice of exhumation and relocation of remains to bone-houses, making graves available for reuse. The discovery of scratch marks within some exhumed coffins sparked fears of premature burial. This fear led to people tying string to the wrist of the corpse that then went up over ground to a bell. People would then take it in turns to sit in the graveyard and listen for the bell, hence someone could be ‘saved by the bell’ or was considered a ‘dead ringer’.
Fact or Fiction?: Fiction. “Saved by the bell” finds its roots in the boxing ring, where the ringing of a bell signals the end of a round, offering a reprieve to a boxer on the verge of defeat. This usage, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflects the literal act of being rescued from a perilous situation by the sound of the bell. Conversely, “dead ringer” originates from the realm of horse racing, where a “ringer” refers to a horse deceptively substituted for another, often a superior one, to gain an unfair advantage in betting. A “dead ringer” signifies an exact, indistinguishable substitute, a perfect deception.
In conclusion, while the historical anecdotes surrounding everyday sayings can be captivating, it’s crucial to approach them with a discerning eye. As we’ve seen, many are simplified, embellished, or entirely fabricated. At Portals To The Past, we believe in equipping young learners with the tools to critically examine history and to seek out reliable historical sources. Understanding the true origins of our language and the events of our past is not just an academic exercise; it’s fundamental to developing a clear understanding of our shared human experience. By honing the ability to distinguish fact from fiction, children develop critical thinking skills essential for making informed decisions about the future. Through our engaging history workshops, we aim to cultivate a lifelong appreciation for authentic history, empowering the next generation to build a better tomorrow.