Sayings Revealed

The world is your oyster!

Really? That's great! At least it would be if I ate oysters, but I don't. In fact, I don't even like oysters. If the world became my oyster, that would be akin to saying I now live in my own personal hell. I'd rather the world be my steak. Or chocolate chip cookie... Where did that saying come from anyways? Who do we have to blame for this fatuitous proverb?

None other than the late, great William Shakespeare. From 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' (1600).

Falstaff: I will not lend thee a penny.
Pistol: Why, then, the world's mine oyster, Which I with sword will open.'

I wonder how many of us knew that, "The world is your oyster." was code for, "If someone doesn't give it to you, then take it by brute force." Certainly not I.

But duly noted, Willy. Duly noted.


Short end of the stick...

Question for you. Which end of the stick is the short end? By definition, can there be a short end or long end of a stick which is uniform in nature? Yeah... I didn't think so either.

But in fact there is slightly more to this saying. It is speculated that the phrase "short end of the stick" refers to an old fashioned method for carrying large objects, where a long stick is inserted through ropes or cords wrapped around the object and two people carry the object together. If the load is off-center a disproportionate burden is placed on the person with the... "short end of the stick".

Hmm... This one actually makes sense.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth!

A little background on the meaning of this saying: When horses age their teeth begin to project further forward each year and so their age can be estimated by checking how prominent the teeth are.

This proverb means that when given a present, don't question the value of it. After all its free.

So, if you get a horse for free don't look at its teeth to see how old it is. Just blindly invest in a stable, food, hay, vet bills... Oh and get emotionally attached hoping that your "gift" isn't knocking on death's door.

See where I'm going with this? Now, I'm not saying to look at the horse's teeth in front of the person who gave it to you. That would be plain rude. But when they leave it might be wise to take a gander, just to see what you're working with. Then if teeth are a little more prominent than you'd like, put a bow on that sucker and hand it off.