WHAT DOES IT MEAN???

I. WHAT IF:

• Would you congratulate your friend if he told you he got the sack?

• Would you tell your mom she cooked a square meal?

• Would you celebrate a red letter a day?

II. INTRODUCTION:

• Do you often come cross those express that just don’t make sense like examples in part I?• You wonder where the heck did they

come from?• Every expression & idiom

has its own story to tell!

III. GOT THE SACK:

• When: Before industrial era.• How: Job was done/ Labourer was discharged,

boss would simply hand worker his tool sack.• What: Getting fired or dismissed.

SQUARE ME

AL

• When: 18th century.• How: British sailors

had 2 meals a day – with mouldy bread & water. Lucky days, 1 more meal included meat & was served on a square tin platter.

• What: Good meal.

?? ?

V. RED LETTER DAY:

• In the Middle Ages: “holy days” ~ a break

• 15th century, “holidays” ~ a day off work

Marked in red

VI. COOKING THE BOOKS:

• Meaning: Cheating on corporate accounting ledgers, no one can realize.

• Authorities discover --> “cook their own goose”.

• How: The early acoustic record players didn’t have electronic controls to lower volume.

• Meaning: Keep quiet.

VII. PUT THE SOCK IN IT:

VIII. IT’S YOUR TURN:

• Why is getting to bed called “hitting the hay”?• Why do the phrases “dressing to the nines” &

“putting on the dog” mean very well dress?• Why, if someone isn’t up to the job, do we say

“he doesn’t worth his salt”?• When someone survives disaster, why do we

say he’s “cheated the devil”?• Why is listening in on a private conversation

called “eavesdropping”?

? ?