In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured
on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress
tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase
"Goodnight, sleep tight".
*
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for
a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his
son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer
and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called
the honey month we know
today as the honeymoon.
*
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. So in old
England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at
them mind their own pints and quarts and settle down. It's where
we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"
*
Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked
into the rim or handle of their ceramic cups. When they needed
a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet
your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.
*
In Scotland, a new game was invented. It was entitled Gentlemen
Only Ladies Forbidden.... and thus the word GOLF entered into
the English language.
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