Crocodile tears

 

Why sham tears or false displays of sorrow are called “crocodile tears”?

The story begins in ancient Egypt along the River Nile. One day, out in the wilderness, a group of Egyptian heard what they thought was a person crying.  Attracted by the cries, the group went to investigate.  They failed to return. The crying began again.  A few other Egyptians, more cautious than their former brethren, went to the spot where they heard the crying.

There they were attacked by a monstrous creature.  The Egyptians noticed that the reptile moaned and sighed like a human in deep distress. Moreover, the strange creature was the only animal they have ever encountered that could cover it’s eyes with a thin transparent membrane; when it did so, it created the illusion of blindness.  The Egyptians, on their guard killed the creature. The monster was later named the “crocodile.”

With the advance of civilization, crocodiles were discovered to inhabit other lands. Always the experience of the Egyptians was repeated.  Eventually humans learned that the crocodile’s moans and tears were affected in order to trap victims. 

Consequently, great precautions were taken to guard against “crocodile tears”.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue sea

 

When someone is in a situation from which he cannot save himself we say that he's "between the devil and the deep blue sea."

It was one Colonel Munro who coined this phrase while serving for Sweden against Austria in the Thirty Years' war.

At one point in the advance Colonel Munro, because the Swedes had not given their cannon sufficient elevation, found his troops moving toward the Austrians in the direct line of fire of their own battery divisions to the rear.

He quickly dispatched a messenger to the commanding Swedish battery officer with the note: "Raise your cannons, we are between the devil and the deep blue sea." The cannons were raised and the battle was won.

Ever since, between the devil and the deep blue sea has been a handy phrase used to by people when caught on the horns of a dilemma.

Reference:

Korach, Myron, Common phrases and where they come from, The Lyons Press, Connecticut, 2002.

Cut and dried

When something is simple or easy to explain, we say it's "cut and dried." For this expression, we are once again indebted to the lumber trade.

Wood, among lumbermen, is not lumber until it has gone through two processes.  First it is "cut" after cutting it is "dried." Only then is it lumber, ready for sale and use. 

Doubting Thomas

 

A person who is very hard to convince is referred to as a "doubting Thomas." Among the disciples of Jesus Christ was one man who refused to believe in Christ resurrection, that disciple was Thomas.  Because of his doubts, he was called "the doubting or very Thomas." 

Since then, a person who doubts and hesitates unnecessarily on maters about which others have no doubts is said to be a "doubting Thomas" or "very Thomas." 

See how it pans out

 

This phrase originated from gold mining.  Miners still separate the coveted gold dust and nuggets from the sand in which they are found with a pan of water.  When the pan is shaken, the heavier gold dust collects at its bottom.  The lighter sand sifts through and floats  off.  

From this practice the world has learned to discriminate in the same way the gold miner does-by "seeing how it pans out." 

List of English Proverbs - I

 

A range of English Proverbs with explanation, listed in alphabetical order by phrase. This page contains English Proverbs that start with letter I. 

1. It is easy to find a stick to beat a dog.
Explanation: It is easy to find reasons to criticize someone who is vulnerable.  

2.  It is never too late to mend.
Explanation: One can always try to improve.   

3. It is not work that kills, but worry. 
Explanation: Direct effort is less stressful than constant concern.  

4.  It's ill waiting for dead men's shoes. 
Explanation: Often used for a situation in which one is hoping for a position currently occupied by another.  

5. It takes all sort to make a world. 
Explanation:  Often used in recognition that a particular group may encompass a wide range of character and background.

6. It takes two to make a bargain.
Explanation: Often used to imply that both parties must be prepared to give some ground.   

7. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Explanation: What one wishes for is often far from reality.  

Closing Eyes When Making A Wish

 

The custom of closing one’s eyes when making a wish goes back to ancient sun worship. People asking for favor turned towards the sun which as the giver of warmth and light, they imagined to have occult power. 

Being unable to look into the sun because of its glare, they instinctively closed their eyes simply t prevent blindness.

Later generations forgot the original circumstances and the physiological reason. Without knowing why people assumed that the gesture had magic potency. They were thus convinced that unless they closed their eyes when making a wish, it would not come true.