1. The whole family considers themselves the salt of the earth.
Meaning: a person or group considered to be the finest, most admirable and noble.
Origin: For thousands of years, salt has been one of the most valuable, useful, and desired objects. At one time, Roman soldiers were even paid part of their salaries in salt (proving they were "worth their salt" <-another idiom). The expression is even found in the Bible (Matthew 5:13). It is a metaphor that describes the finest people on earth as being as significant as the extremely important commodity of salt.
2. My daughter wanted to bring her Hello, Kitty doll to school. It's her security blanket.
Meaning: a person or thing that an insecure individual holds onto for emotional comfort or psychological reassurance.
Origin:
<---------------- 'Nuff said.
(Yes, Charles M. Schulz coined the term.)
3. These cars are selling like hotcakes!
Meaning: sell quickly, effortlessly, and in great numbers.
Origin: In the late 1600s hotcakes (pancakes) made on a griddle were the best-selling items at fairs, benefits, and events. By the mid-1800s the expression "selling like hotcakes" was transferred to any product that was being rapidly bought up by the public. (I always wondered where these hotcakes were being sold from.)
4. Listening to April's voice sets my teeth on edge.
Meaning: to cause annoyance or discomfort to someone.
Origin: You can find this saying in several places in the Bible. But...have you ever bitten a piece of tinfoil? Ever hear someone scratch their fingernails down a chalkboard while you were close by? Ever listened to two cotton balls rub together? You probably felt a sharp, shuddering feeling that made you gnash your teeth together, triggered a tingling sensation in your jaw, which stimulated your salivary glands, filling your mouth with saliva. It's such a singular sensation that you don't easily forget it...and you're possibly feeling it now, just remembering what that feels like. I know I am. :shudders:
LOL. Okay, I'm sorry. Don't hate me for leaving you with that sensation.
Wow! I had no idea Charles Schulz came up with "security blanket." Aww, I love him even more for that. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty cool, isn't it?
DeleteAnother intriguing post. Like Dana, had no idea that Charles Schulz coined the phrase security blanket. Another one I will have to share.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know either. :)
DeleteExcellent info again!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSets my teeth on edge is one I haven't used before, but all the rest are regulars for me. :)
ReplyDeleteLol, that one is actually in my manuscript.
DeleteSo Linus and his blanket started the whole security blanket phrase? I bet most kids don't even know about Peanuts today.
ReplyDeleteNo they do. They at least know Snoopy, and we showed the xmas special to our 5th graders last year.
DeleteAll three of my kids have security blankets from when they were babies. Didn't know Linus started that! Cute.
ReplyDeleteI was a little surprised, too. My sister had a blue blankie, but I never did.
DeleteHands rubbing on jeans... that sets my teeth on edge. Although they definitely were on edge while I was reading that one, lol.
ReplyDeleteLove that Charles Schultz coined the term security blanket.
Yeah, that's a gross one, too. LOL.
DeleteAaagh! That tin foil did it for me!
ReplyDeleteSorry. LOL.
DeleteOh gosh, my teeth hurt! Really, I probably look majorly dumb right now, lol.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest apologies...it would be pretty funny to see that, though.
Delete#4 did make me feel all those things...recovering now. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry. I am bad. :D
DeleteHi, nice to meet you, dropping by from A-Z. Intriguing post, I can remember how my sister was crazy about 'Peanuts' when we were kids.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, too. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteOh, by the way I have been asked to participate in the Lucky 7 meme, during Rach's Campaign, it is nice to visit it's creator!
ReplyDeleteThe salt idoms are interesting given Lot's wife was turned to salt for her disobedience when she turned to look upon the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I remember that story. It is interesting, indeed. :D
DeleteI need to have a notebook out every time I hop over here :) I get ideas from each of your idioms, they're great! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThere's always a discussion between my mom and my kids when she makes "hotcakes" cause we call them "pancakes" even though I grew up eating hotcakes :) My kids think that name is funny!
It does have a bit of an old fashioned feel to it, but it's a great word! LOL.
DeleteI had a comment, but I don't want to jump the gun in case it shows up on your W post. It's similar to setting teeth on edge, though. Makes me...weak.
ReplyDelete