Aspinock Memories
Mad as a hatter — So many forgotten old sayings 
By Terri Pearsall, AHS Curator
Since we spent the last few weeks exploring what life was like in the year1896 and were amused at the terminology used then, I thought it might be fun to explore old sayings and what they meant then, their origin and what it means now. 
So let’s begin with:
 “At the Drop of a Hat” – in the 19th century, a hat was used to indicate the start of a race or a fight.  A hat would be dropped or swept in a downward arc and participants would begin.  Today it means to do something without delay.
“Barking up the Wrong Tree” – This old saying originates in America and refers to hunting dogs in the early 19th century.  Hunted prey such as raccoons or bears would escape the dogs by climbing up trees.  The dogs would then sit and bark at the base of the tree, waiting for their masters.  Sometimes the dogs would lose the scent and select the wrong tree.  They would still bark for their masters. Today it means taking the wrong approach or wasting your efforts.
“As Mad as a Hatter”- In the 17th and 18th centuries, hatters made felt hats with mercury, which lead to all kinds of side effects, including insanity.  The character The Mad Hatter in Alice and Wonderland is based on this phenomenon.  Today it still means to be crazy or insane.
“Basket Case” – in WW1 tragically many soldiers lost limbs and had to be carried.  They were put in a makeshift basket and referred to as “basket cases”.  Today it means to be stressed out or unable to cope.
“Big Wig” – In the 18th century, the important figures within the political system would wear the biggest wigs.  Today it still means a very important person.
“Bite the Bullet” – In the 19th century, there was no such thing as pain relief or anesthesia.  So, when soldiers were injured on the battlefields and needed treatment, they were given a bullet to bite down on to prevent them screaming out loud.  Today it pretty much means the same thing, go through the pain and get on with it.
“Bury the Hatchet” – This old saying comes from a Native American tradition.  When tribes declared a truce from battle, the chief from each opposing side would take a hatchet and bury it during a ceremony.  Today it means to end a disagreement and move on.
“Caught Red-Handed” – Originates from 15th Century Scotland. Referring to someone caught with blood on their hand after committing murder or poaching.  To be caught red-handed means to be apprehended while doing something wrong or illegal, not merely suspected afterward.  Today it means pretty much the same, to be caught in the act.
“Chow down” – The U.S. military came up with this slang term during WWII.  The Chinese were rumored to eat dog meat and as a Chow is a Chinese dog the term grew from those two things.  Today it means to get on with eating.
“Dead Ringer” – In the 19th century, U.S. Horse-racers would substitute a horse that was faster or slower than the original racing horse to con the bookies.  That horse looked exactly like the substituted horse and was called a ringer.  It means an exact likeness today also.
“Dressed to the Nines” – There were no off-the-shelf suits in the 18th century.  If you wanted one, you had it made especially for you.  In those days, a suit included the waistcoat and so it took 9 yards of fabric to complete. Today it means to wear your best clothes.  
“Feeling Under the Weather” – This is one of those sayings that come from the sea.  Sailors would rest under the bow of a ship if they became seasick during a voyage.  This was the best place as it would protect the sailor from bad weather.  Those who were ill were described as “being under the weather”.
“Give a Cold Shoulder” – At medieval banquets, the host would give his guests a cut of cold meat, usually the shoulder, to indicate the feast was over and it was time to go home.  It now means to ignore or to reject someone.
“Honeymoon”- Years ago it was a tradition for just married couples to drink honey for a month to increase their chances of good luck throughout the marriage.  Today it refers to the vacation trip following the wedding ceremony.
“In the Nick of Time” – This originated in the 18th century.  People kept track of the money they owed to creditors with a stick.  A nick was carved onto the stick for every day the money was overdue.  If you paid before the nick, then you didn’t owe interest on the debt.  The meaning today is similar; it means an action performed before it is too late.
“Kick the Bucket” - During the slaughter of cows, buckets were placed under the animal to catch the blood.  Often the cow would kick the bucket at the last minute as it was being hoisted up for slaughter thus the meaning to die originated.
“One for the Road” – Dates back to the Middle Ages.  Apparently, prisoners on their way to execution in London were allowed to stop along Oxford Street for one final drink before they died.  Today we think of it as the last drink before going home.
“Put a Sock In it” – This is from the late 19th century when Gramophones were used to amplify sounds.   They were large trumpet-shaped horns which provided sound.  However, there was no way to adjust the volume.  The only way to lower the sound was to literally put a sock in the horn leading to today’s meaning to be quiet or stop talking.
I could go on and on but will stop here for this week at the drop of my hat although I am not barking up the wrong tree, I may be mad as a hatter, but I am not a basket case by any means.  Some big wigs should bite the bullet and bury the hatchet even though they have been caught red handed chowing down and giving the cold shoulder to the dead ringer of one of them dressed to the nines.  He was on his way to his honeymoon but was feeling a little under the weather after drinking all that honey and decided to stop in the nick of time before he kicked the bucket.  He did, after all, decide to have one for the road quite loudly, but his bride told him to put a sock in it.  Wasn’t that fun?!
Next time we’ll talk about saving face, none of your business, three sheets to the wind and whatever fancies me.  The source of my information this week was from searching the internet for popular old sayings, their origin and meaning.  Hope you enjoyed it and I’ll be seeing you next time.
Aspinock Memories graces the pages of the Putnam Town Crier to keep Putnam’s history — and old sayings — alive.

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