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So
That's Where It Comes From!
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Word & Phrase Origins for November 2007: |
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It's All Greek To Me
The earliest
known reference
goes back to William Shakespeare's Julius
Caesar. Casca, who is among the group
conspiring to kill Caesar, recounts to Brutus and
Cassius how Caesar had previously rejected the crown of
emperor. When asked if Cicero, an influential
senator, had said anything (Cicerco did, speaking in
Greek to prevent passersby from understanding him),
Casca replies: "Those that understood him smiled at one
another and shook their heads; but for mine own part, it
was Greek to me." |
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Keep Your Eyes Peeled
Referring to certain fruits or vegetables, such as
oranges, bananas and potatoes, that are better or more
useful without their skin, this phrase can be traced
back to a newspaper in 1833. The Political
Examiner of Shelbyville, Kentucky gave this advice:
"Young man! Keep your eye peeled when you are
after women." |
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Go Hat In Hand
This expression of humbleness comes from an
ancient custom of removing the hat or headgear as a
gesture of courtesy, respect or salutation. |
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