A morbid topic, I know, but aren't you even the least bit curious?  Why do we say that the recently departed is as dead as a door nail? 

Actually I've heard it more often like this, "That dog's deader'n  a door nail!" 

This phrase is old and dates back to at least 1350.  Shakespeare used it in King Henry the VI.  Here's one answer.

Not sure you like that answer?  Look here for two more. (Scroll down)

I still think it's a disrespectful term.  Who wants to be compared to a door nail, dead or alive? 

I have yet to see any cats running around with spare tongues, and this phrase got me to wondering, if the cat had someone's tongue how did they go about getting it? 

I wish now I didn't know. 

This phrase is used when someone stands there silenty, saying nothing in return to either an introduction or just disbelief that what you heard was really what you heard.  Somone will then pipe up and say, "What's the matter?  Cat got your tongue?"

According to CatStuff, this phrase came into being during a time when a liars tongue was cut out and then fed to the king's pet cats.  Bleck!  (You'll need to scroll down to find this one.)

Now you wish you didn't know. 

What?  You think I should have kept such knowledge to myself?  Speak up, I can't hear you!  Cat got your tongue?

While having a conversation with a non-Christian, about whether or not he would go to Heaven, he said, "When I die, I figure I'll meet the Big Cheese."

I love cheese, but not as much as I love my Lord and I sure hope he isn't akin to blue cheese or roquefort.  I can't quite picture God with a dab of mold behind his ear, even if He is old. 

So, why is someone who is of higher status, at the top, called the big cheese?  Wouldn't that be insulting considering all the other cheese phrases, like "that's cheesy"?

World Wide Words has the answer once again.  Sorry, can't help it, this website is tops!   

It turns out that anyone who would refer to God as "The Big Cheese" is really saying just what they feel about Him.  To those who believe in a higher being, but not at all certain of His righteousness, they pretty much equate Him to a thing. 

Now that's cheesy. 

My husband has kept bees, and believe me, bees knees alone are not impressive.  They do serve an important function as this is where pollen is carried.  (In laymens terms)

Why then do people use the term "Bees Knees" to mean outstanding?  i.e. "That shindig was the bees knees!"

First let's take a look at it's original origin.  Take Our Word For It, explains that this term first meant unimpressive and was first used in 1797.  (You'll need to scroll down on this website to find the source.)

As usual, words and phrases have a way of, well, deteriorating. 

This week I wandered far and wide to find a new and different source to educate us.  Believe me, this website is the bees knees!  (By today's definition.)  This term became popular in the 1920's along with "The Cat's Pajamas" and "The Flea's Eyebrows".  Uh, okay. 

Interestingly, from what I gathered, Britains use this term more than Americans.  And they say Americans don't influence other cultures!

Yes, that's right I started a sentence with the word "and".  A major no-no in my book.  This time it just fit.  I couldn't think of how to say the sentence otherwise. 

My good friend Mamaduso suggested a fabulous phrase for all of us to learn about.  Shin Dig.  As in, "We's goin' to Bobby Jo's shin dig."

Only one problem.  Shindig is one word, not two.  No matter, it's still interesting and we shall sally forth and discover it's meaning. 

Why do we define a good party as a shindig?  Interestingly enough I have heard it more as a poor mans term for a fancy party.  Such as, "That thar high falutin' fellar is throwin' a shindig for his daw-ter."  Is this another word/phrase definition evolution like "gay" or "fantastic", or is it a regional use?

I have no idea, but once again I'll take you to World Wide Words where you can read an educated persons definition and explanation. 

In the mean time, if all of you should happen to show up at my place at the same time, I'd be willing to throw a shindig.  Be sure to wear padding.

I started word origin Wednesday this week but have decided to call it Phraseology Friday, because I'm not really looking to know more about word origins, I want to know phrase origins.  Phraseology Wednesday just doesn't ring. 

What is today's phrase?  Cry Uncle.

This is a phrase that I have never understood.  Why should someone on the losing end cry for their Uncle?  What happens if you don't have one? Can you cry for your Aunt? 

If once one has cried Uncle, and cried for uncle isn't around, what will make the bully stop? 

It turns out no one reall knows why we say, "Cry Uncle."  I therefore suggest we strike it from usage.  Only bullies force their victims to say it. 

You can learn more about this phrase from this voice of authority, who, by the way, is not my uncle.

So, I've taken a small sabatical from my own personal blog posts, but I think I'm back.  I'd like to be back.  I think this is the second longest time period I have not spilled my opinions on the floor. 

The first would have been boot camp, where I was determined to say as little as possible because my parents believed I couldn't.  Meaning, they didn't quite expect me to make it through boot camp without some verbal altercation. 

Anyway, I was thinking today, where on earth does the phrase, "Come hell or high water," come from? 

There you are standing in line at the super market and you hear an old cowboy holler to his friend, "I'll be there at the BBQ  come hell or high water!" 

Why not heaven or low tide?  Death or natural destruction?  Starvation or global warming?

Maybe you've never heard the phrase.  It turns out that in my part of the country it would be quite natural to hear an old cowboy use it. 

Doing a quick search (on my now search engine of choice, Redzee.com) I came across this answer.

I'll see you tomorrow, Lord willing.