Some interesting expressions used by the English speaking world but not many know the origins. I'll publish one every so often.


The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water
temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be!
Here are some facts about the 1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May
and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell
so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odour.

Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Hmmm OK...how about this one then:


Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had
the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then
the women and finally the children-last of all the babies. By then the water
was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.

Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Hmmm OK...how about this one then:


Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had
the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then
the women and finally the children-last of all the babies. By then the water
was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.

Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

This explanation makes no sense when you consider the expression and its meaning. Additionally bathing was so rare that there were no bathing tubs.

http://www.history-magazine.com/facts.html

Hmmm OK...how about this one then:


Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had
the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then
the women and finally the children-last of all the babies. By then the water
was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.

Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

This explanation makes no sense when you consider the expression and its meaning. Additionally bathing was so rare that there were no bathing tubs.

http://www.history-magazine.com/facts.html

Well I think if you can't see the baby 'cos the water is so dirty there can be a risk.

Another perhaps

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath.
It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the dogs, cats and
other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became
slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof.

Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

One to add:
Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.

"I'm trying to maintain a shred of dignity in this world." - Me

Another then:

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a
real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could really mess
up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over
the top afforded some protection.

That's how canopy beds came into existence.

Another then:

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a
real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could really mess
up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over
the top afforded some protection.

That's how canopy beds came into existence.

Another then:

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a
real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could really mess
up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over
the top afforded some protection.

That's how canopy beds came into existence.

Canopy beds may have originated as a means of keeping out flying insects but if you think about it, people rich enough to afford a canopy bed — a huge investment in the 1500s — would also be living in homes with proper ceilings.

Yet another:

The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet,
so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keep their footing. As
the winter wore on, they kept adding more thresh until when you opened the
door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the
entranceway.

Hence the saying a "thresh hold."

Yet another:

The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet,
so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keep their footing. As
the winter wore on, they kept adding more thresh until when you opened the
door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the
entranceway.

Hence the saying a "thresh hold."

I hope yout having fun spreading the B.S. Tigher!

Threshold is not derived from thrashed straw on the floor. The Oxford English Dictionary shows that the term was in use several centuries before the 16th Century and is actually from a term meaning to tread, step, or trample. A threshold was the board that was a step into a home or structure and had nothing to do with straw being held down.

Oh and I think you will find the OED does actually agree with thresh hold. As it says a step or board (wood) in the entrance.

Well I think if you can't see the baby 'cos the water is so dirty there can be a risk.

Oh and I think you will find the OED does actually agree with thresh hold. As it says a step or board (wood) in the entrance.

But it is out of context with the meaning and wording of your post.

Facts when Posted manytimes go unchecked and you are going right down the list of Fallices and Fables. It's easy to check since it is the internet, and I was surpised than even after qouting my source you kept posting them anyway.....