Origins

With the recent election of a new pope at Vatican City, the news has been rife with the meaning of the word “conclave” – an act in Rome that rarely occurs – and the explanation of how the word came into existence. The word comes from the Latin expression meaning, “with key”, suggesting the importance of the elective council being locked away until they reached a majority decision as to who will become the next pope.

It’s always interesting to know the origins of words that we use. Here are a few of them, and their equally engrossing beginnings:

Tip: Whether leaving an extra monetary boon to a server at a restaurant, or giving succinct advice to one who may or may not wish it, a tip is supposed to be generous from the giver and a boon to the receiver. It’s interesting to note that so many of the aged generation aren’t as keen to leave tips in money, but eager to share wordy advice to the rising generation. Also, populaces around the world are not eager to either leave tips or give them – monetarily that is. Perhaps that’s because the word’s provenance is uniquely American, and isn’t that old. The word is actually an acronym for “To insure promptness”. The word began just over a century ago, during Prohibition, when people gathered incognito, and needed quick service. Waiters who gave prompt and efficient service were rewarded with a little extra money. Over the years, tipping has grown exponentially, even with fast-food establishments where no personal service is required. It’s a nice way to say thank you, and also nice to give good advice. We all remember to plant our corn in the spring, though, so no need to keep offering that tidbit.

The Cold Shoulder: The phrase, which denotes ignoring or flagrantly wishing someone would go away, has been around a long time. It began centuries ago in Old England, when the aristocratic set often entertained company for weeks. Sometimes guests so enjoyed the fun, games, and plentiful tables burgeoning with food that they needed a hint to leave. When the host tired of the company, the guests were served a cold, leftover shoulder of mutton. It wasn’t the most popular meal. The guests then got the hint, and promptly vacated the mansion. Hopefully none of us are victims of the cold shoulder treatment these days.

Showing True Colors: To show one’s true colors is exposing who you really are, after apparently hiding certain personality quirks. The phrase also goes back several centuries to the Colonial period. Before modern times and aviation, the ships were the way to transport and travel. They were also the preferred venue to fight battles. From national navies to piracy, those on the sea were never far from peril – by storm, by thievery, or by war. To draw near to an enemy combatant in war (or a pirate ship hoping to reach to a potential victim at sea), the attacking ship would hoist a flag that to the other ship would mean neutrality or friendship. Then, once the ship was close enough to strike, the flag was retired and their true flag – or true colors – was held aloft and the battle began in earnest. Pretty sneaky!

Naughty: The adjective today means badly behaved, or someone, usually a child, acting in a disrespectful, rude, or even defiant manner. The word is a type of metamorphosis, as the word “naught” was defined as being without means, or in poverty. It was anciently defined as another word for “nothing”. Because the word is an English word, and stems from that ancient English term, it transformed during the 19th century, in Great Britain. 

Children with nothing had to earn their way, and often flagrantly and rudely approached people of means to get money. They resorted to theft if they could. These children were termed “naughty”, not just because they were acting badly, but because they had nothing – or had “naught”. They therefore became naughty children. And the phrase continues to this day.

Being Downcast: Someone who seems depressed or sad is often described as being “downcast”. It usually denotes someone feeling that way for an extended period of time, or not easily escaping sorrow or depression. This phrase is also of ancient origin and comes from the age-old profession of sheep herding. Sheep are not an easy herd to keep, and it takes significant work – and it has been that way through the centuries. Sheep have spindly legs and fat bodies, especially ewes who are ready to give birth, or rams who need shearing. If a sheep lies down to rest and chew its cud after grazing, and is on a slope or heavy with wool or pregnancy, sometimes the sheep can’t get up again.

A sheep that can’t rise again after lying down is called a downcast sheep (sometimes shortened simply to “cast”).

The Biblical story of the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine sheep safe in the pen and hunts for the one lost sheep is symbolically touching – and happens often in real life for those shepherds still in the occupation. Sheep rarely don’t return by being lost or careless. They are usually not back with the herd because they have fallen down and simply can’t get up again. If the shepherd doesn’t find them in time, they can die, usually as victims of predators. 

The term today exemplifies the same concern for someone who is feeling melancholy and can’t seem to pull out of it.

Caught Red-Handed: This phrase denotes someone caught with verifiable knowledge – in a lie or in a theft or some other faux-pas. The saying originates from the Middle Ages, when food was scarce and theft was common, especially among farm animals. If someone stole another’s cow, pig, or sheep, the perpetrator was often discovered, especially if he had no livestock of his own, by blood on his hands from butchering someone else’s property. Hence the saying “caught red-handed” has come down to this day.

Bite the Bullet: In the days before surgeries where the person receiving care could be sedated, the patient had to bite down on something hard, like a piece of wood, before the doctor could operate. During war time, bullets were far more plentiful on the battlefield. Surgeons would tell the soldier to bite the bullet, and others would hold down the wounded patient, so that the surgeon could quickly operate. During the Civil War, some elixirs were available, such as ether and alcohol. However, with such a high number of operations and the dangers of overexposure to ether and the absence of enough whiskey, the bullet was the common choice. At Gettysburg, bullets with molar marks in them have been found, so the procedure was common in the summer of 1863.

So many words and phrases we use today without thinking are so often the result of ancient and old-fashioned reason.

Pass them along.