Silver dollars were later used as markers, which is probably where the term buck originated to denote a dollar. The handles of most knives were made of buck’s horn, so the marker became known as a “buck.” When the dealer’s turn was complete, he would pass the buck. The person who was next in line to deal was given a marker, which was often a knife. To combat this, the card dealer was frequently rotated during a game. Poker became popular in American during the 18th century and players were always suspicious of any form of bias or cheating. Pass the buck originates from the game of poker. Already disturbed, the other person would then wait for the inevitable noise of the other shoe hitting the floor.Īs for passing the buck, Thompson finds its roots on the card table-and treats us to some bonus etymologies: The person below would often wake when the first shoe dropped on the floor and made a loud bang. It was common to be awoken late at night by a neighbor removing their shoes in the apartment above. These dwellings were all built with similar designs, with bedrooms typically located above one another. In large cities like New York, apartment housing became more common. Wait for the other shop to drop began with the American manufacturing boom in the late 19th century. Thompson traces waiting for the other shoe to drop back to urban, industrial America:
The publisher kindly sent me a copy for review. Then, much to my pleasure, I remembered I had an entire book dedicated to them: Andrew Thompson’s Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases (Ulysses Press, 2017). Thinking of a writing post on the expressions, I started doing some research online. It is a fun and interesting read, and I hope Mr Thompson writes some more books like this.Some recent US political events have thrust two interesting idioms in the headlines: waiting for the other shoe to drop and pass the buck. I received a preview copy of the book for review purposes. The book is divided into chapters according to origin, as well as having an index to locate specific phrases. She recognizes many of the phrases discussed by the author in this informative and far from boring book. The reason for this exception - a friend’s daughter who does not enjoy reading is enjoying this book. It is a fun and interesting read, and I hope Mr Thompson writes some more bo I usually don’t rate a book before completing it.
I usually don’t rate a book before completing it. Overall, this is a very interesting book that taught me many new things about why we say the funny phrases we say.more I know that I personally would like to keep it as a reference book for when I have questions about where certain phrases come from. This book doesn't need to be read in all one sitting. This book is for word nerds (and POTUSes that could stand to pick up a book every once in awhile). Let me tell you, there are soooo many funny phrases that come from the British Navy and sooo many more that started because of different sports. Each chapter focuses on a different origins. Set up like a dictionary, this book has tons of phrases, how they are used, and where they came from. Have you ever used a colloquial phrase and wondered where it came from? Why do we say things like "beating a dead horse" or "head over heels?" If these questions fly through your mind, this is the book for you. "Priming the pump" is not included in this collection but after last week, it should not be missed after seeing story after story about that particular phrase's origins. Perhaps it is also for POTUSes who think that they have made up a phrase like "priming the pump" only to be corrected and told that "priming the pump" has existed as an economics-related idiom for almost 90 years. Have you ever used a colloquial p "Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red" is a book for lovers of words and phrases.
"Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red" is a book for lovers of words and phrases.