Originally published in 1948, my copy of this book was bought in 1972. I was always interested in the derivation of words and phrases, especially those that defied immediate understanding. Of course the phrase "a hog on ice" is not really obscure, but it intrigued me, nonetheless.
"The facts are that a hog on a smooth surface cannot move about in a normal manner. The pads on the feet are smooth and offer no resistance to slippery or smooth icy surfaces. His feet slide out from under him, the legs will either spread as the animals sprawl out on the ice, or they will be drawn under him. In either case, after several attempts to arise, he refuses to try to get on his feet. The hog usually has to be skidded or dragged off the ice to a firm footing before he attempts to move about in the usual manner."
With that scene imagined, you can see why some people are referred to as being as "graceful as a hog (or pig) on ice."
If you are interested in learning the sources of such phrases as....
"in a blue funk"....."on the horns of a dilemma"....."by hook or by crook".....
"to beat the band"...."by the skin of one's teeth"
you have only to locate this slim volume.
"The facts are that a hog on a smooth surface cannot move about in a normal manner. The pads on the feet are smooth and offer no resistance to slippery or smooth icy surfaces. His feet slide out from under him, the legs will either spread as the animals sprawl out on the ice, or they will be drawn under him. In either case, after several attempts to arise, he refuses to try to get on his feet. The hog usually has to be skidded or dragged off the ice to a firm footing before he attempts to move about in the usual manner."
With that scene imagined, you can see why some people are referred to as being as "graceful as a hog (or pig) on ice."
If you are interested in learning the sources of such phrases as....
"in a blue funk"....."on the horns of a dilemma"....."by hook or by crook".....
"to beat the band"...."by the skin of one's teeth"
you have only to locate this slim volume.
***
Looking out my kitchen door yesterday morning, I saw movement behind the fence and on closer inspection, saw it was a fawn. He was staring at my house, large ears cocked for sound. He was alone - or so it seemed - until I saw the herd in the yard behind my house. I have only seen them twice in the last few weeks. While my house guest was here, we left to go to dinner one evening and saw eleven young deer crossing the road near our home. I agreed with her that's an awful lot of them in one pack, especially since they were all fairly young. None of them showed antlers or bumps, and at least seven of them still had spots. Have I mentioned how much I love seeing them?!
15 comments:
I have that same problem on ice myself;)
Never heard that phrase before, but will use it now!!!
The CP often asks me to explain strange expressions. Normally I can, but when I suggested that he show someone the ropes , and couldn't explain that one, he said he would just show his friend what to do, I have to find that book!
Star, tell the CP:
"to know the ropes": to be familiar with all the details. This probably originated among sailors. In the days of sailing vessels, an experienced sailor was one who was familiar with all the ropes leading to the sails. Such a man "knew the ropes" . Ergo, if you say "show me the ropes" - you want to become familiar with all the details!
I love seeing deer too Judy...although I don't live by any wooded areas, so they never come around my house. I do however go to a little forest preserve nearby and drive through every so often just to get a glimpse of them there. They're all over the place. ~Joy
We haven't seen any deer friends yet this year. Generally, we'll see at least one family per year, and they'll hang out in our yard and sometimes even take naps. So cute!
I live in the woods and enjoy seeing the deer. And am ever trying to protect my garden patch from them. Have you figured out anything that works other than a 15 foot fence.
Barnes and Noble have the book, plus a couple of other: Heavens to Betsy, Thereby Hangs the Tale.
Fun. Thanks for the information.
I always wondered where the expression "Posh" came from when referring to something that was the very best.
I looked it up and found that when the wives of British Officers stationed in India went by ship to join their husbands they wanted to be PORT side over and STARBOARD home. That way they were always on the shady side of the sailing ship and out of the Sun.
So, when the ticketing person wrote their tickets they stamped them POSH (Port Over Starboard Home).
That then became the symbol of something grand......
We have not seen deer in our back yard for quite some time now and we miss them. I guess they have moved south. My husband came face to face with a moose last year. I'd prefer to see the deer again.
Nancy, I never heard that about POSH - thanks for the lesson!
Nancy, I never heard that about POSH - thanks for the lesson!
I'm like a hog on ice too.
I've always loved the expression "A bull in a china shop".
Is the expression, "God love a duck!" in there? :-) That's what my grandmother would always exclaim.
You are a lucky duck to have those lovely deer in your neck of the woods. Hope I have some near my new home!
I have never heard this expression but I like it and will picture it every time I see someone who is less than graceful.
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