All the ice from the winter months in the north was helpful to the southern states in the olden days as can be seen from this story. The Iceman Made Life Easier Before the Arrival of Electricity by Steve A. Maze My grandpa had a problem with ice, but not the type we are […]
Pay through the nose is a very strange saying that has a simple meaning. It comes from the ninth-century in Ireland. When the Danes conquered the Irish, they imposed an exorbitant Nose Tax on the island’s inhabitants. They took a census (by counting noses) and levied oppressive sums on their victims, forcing them to pay […]
Anecdotes for Connecticut Clockmaker by Francis Donovan This life history was compiled and transcribed by the staff of the Folklore Project of the Federal Writers’ Project for the U.S. Works Progress (later Work Projects) Administration (WPA) from 1936-1940 Pseudonyms are often substituted for individuals and places named in the narrative texts. December 12, 1938 […]
The saying swan song is usually referred to a final theatrical or dramatic appearance, or any final work. It generally carries the connotation that the performer is aware that this is the last performance of his or her lifetime, and is expending everything in one magnificent final effort. Swan song comes from an old belief that swans, […]
I Love Scrapbooks by Dorothy Graham Gast I love scrapbooks, I buy scrapbooks and all the little accessories, I give scrapbooks, and I just don’t put anything in them. I keep waiting until something is “important” enough. When Mama died the rest of the family decided I should get all the scrapbooks, even those unfinished […]
In the 18th century it was the fashion to wear white, curly wigs. They were often powdered. The wigs were called wool possibly because they resembled a sheep’s fleece -if a wig slipped, one could have the “wool pulled over their eyes”
The Western Reserve by Jim Stark Residents of northeast Ohio are very familiar with the name Western Reserve. Case Western Reserve University probably tops the list for name recognition, but a hospital, insurance company, church, ballet company, high school, nursing home, motorcycle dealership, plus many others organizations and businesses also include those words in their […]
DYK: Did You Know? GO THE EXTRA MILE – By law a Roman soldier could force anybody to carry his equipment 1 mile. The expression probably comes from the Bible, when Jesus declares in his Sermon on the Mount, “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” (Matthew 5:41) The verse is a reference to the practice […]
Did you know that…. In olden days, space was limited so to “set the table” meant you had to take the board hanging from the rafter in the kitchen and “set” it on trestle legs where the meal would be eaten. For example, “set the table” in front of the fireplace or “set the […]
(This story from a contributing author brings back memories of riding a school bus on a icy dirt road on a mountain. Boy was it scary. Do you have a school bus story? -Donna Causey) The Old Yellow School Bus by Inez McCollum One thing that has not changed a great deal through the years […]
