Friday Did You Know Post Number Two?

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Continuing the same thread as last week educating the rabble on Hive with some interesting and mainly useless bits of information. I find this stuff fairly interesting so it is fun for me to research it at the same time.One never knows when something stupid like this may pop up, but at least you will be able to answer it if it ever does.

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Mad as a hatter.

Someone who is just crazy.

I am sure you have heard the saying "Mad as a hatter" and many of you will think it is based on the character from Alice in Wonderland, but no it is way before then. In the 1700's hat makers around the world used mercury nitrate to turn animal fur into felt. Mercury is poisonous and attacks the nervous system over time. This causes the body to shake and tremor giving the idea the person is crazy or mad and was known a Hatters shakes. The use of mercury in hat making was banned only in the 1940's. We had a science teacher like that and he played with all chemicals including mercury.

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Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Don't get rid of valuable things mixed up with rubbish.

Another olden day one and thank god we are more hygienic today. In the 1500's people used to bath very infrequently like once or twice per year. The family all used the same tub of water starting with males then the females followed by the children. The water was so filthy after everyone had bathed they used to say be careful and "don't throw the baby out with the bathwater."
This is no joke and disgusting if you ask me.I have never used this saying. but have heard it said before.

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Go the whole nine yards.

Try your best at something.

I must admit I didn't know this one either as it is not so obvious. During World War 2 fighter pilots were issued with 9 yards of ammunition on a belt for the machine gun. If you tried your best you used up all the ammunition. Thinking about it that isn't a lot of fighting power and without an endless supply you would most likely strike out more often than not.

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To Break The Ice

To say something to relieve the tension between people. Could also be to start up a friendship by speaking first.

Another old one that is used on a fairly regular basis. In the past travel and trade was mainly done by ships and they traveled throughout the year. During winter months they sometimes got stuck and frozen in by ice. The country the vessel was travelling to would send out smaller boats to break the ice forming a welcoming committee. This was a gesture of good faith and showing you were welcome to visit.

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I love my leftovers so I guess my guests would stay all night.

Give a cold shoulder.

Anti social and rude showing you are not happy.Wives are normally good at this and is one of their specialties along with the silent treatment. Go out drinking with the mates during the week and come home and see how welcome you are lol.

Lol. I can see many marriages have experienced a cold shoulder and know exactly what this means. The origins date back to medieval times in England when the host decided it was time for a guest or his guests to leave. In those days they didn't tell you to bugger off but served you a cold piece of meat from the shoulder of pork or lamb. I can just picture someones face as I think this is more insulting than telling someone in person. I would see it as a snack for the way home and nothing else. Still rude though and can't believe it was a custom. I suppose it is better than being shot or something as they had some strange laws in those times.

I have to confess I didn't know any of these ones this week which is a good thing as I learnt something new.