More Origins of Famous Sayings

“A pig in a poke”

It means to accept a deal without examining it carefully first.

Its origins date back to England’s Richard Hills in 1530 with the warning “buyer beware!”

The word “poke” means small bag. Their use was to carry piglets to the marketplace. Dishonest merchants would often replace the piglet with an animal of lesser value and sell to an unsuspecting buyer who didn’t take the time to open the bag to look at its contents before making the purchase, which created another phrase “letting the cat out of the bag”.

“As mad as a March hare”

It means insane or mad.

It s origins are from England and the earliest known written account is that of Sir Thomas More in 1529. The mating season of the hare is in March and their behavior becomes greatly excited or “mad”.

“Physician heal thyself”

It means instead of pointing out the faults of others, worry about your own.

It refers to physicians caring for others but not always doing likewise for themselves.

Its origin is from the Bible in Luke 4:23.

“A piece of cake”

It means something that is easy.

Its origin is American and comes from the poet Ogden Nash in 1936.

“Full of piss and vinegar”

It means unruly and noisy.

Its origin is American and coined by John Steinbeck in 1938 where he used it in “The Grapes of Wrath”.

Earlier usage dates all the way back to 1602 England but refer to “piss and wind” which generally meant empty words.

“Play it by ear”

It originally meant to play music without the benefit of written sheet music, but today it generally means to take life as it comes.

The word “ear” in relation to music dates back to 1526.

“Not worth a plugged nickel”

It means no value whatever.

Its origin is American. Each coin was rendered illegal and worthless by punching a hole in the center and then filling it with a cheaper metal. This practice dates back to the 1880’s, and was also practiced on dimes and quarters.