Play with thought

Hello everyone !

Today we’re going to talk about the phrase "That’s another pair of sleeves."

This is another matter.

In the Middle Ages, the sleeves of clothes were not sewn together, but simply adjusted at the last moment.

The ladies could, as a sign of attachment, hand their sleeve to their knight, who would wear it on his lance or shield during tournaments.

This amorous pledge has become a symbol of commitment to the point where we have forgotten its aristocratic and gallant origin.

Good day and good game ;)

Hello everyone !

Today we are going to talk about the expression "moonlighting".

In the Middle Ages, trade associations regulated work by requiring it to be done only in daylight.

However, some masters, to increase the output of their workers, made them work by candlelight, once night had fallen, which was prohibited by the rules.

 Hence the expression "moonlighting" to mean working illegally.

Good day and good game ;)

Hello everyone !

Today we're going to talk about the phrase "spit in the soup".

We thus learn that blacksmiths used to leave a well-heated horseshoe in front of their shop, in order to laugh at the grimaces of the naive who tried to steal it.

The story's villain's son, Robin, who is in town with his father, doesn't let him fall into the trap, and spits on the horseshoe to check if it's cold. The saliva is immediately brought to a boil.

Back home, the villain is about to eat a good morterual, a kind of bread soup his wife has made.

He spits in the soup to see if it's too hot, but nothing happens.

He immediately puts a huge spoonful in the oven, and is scalded to the guts.

Hence the phrase "spit in the soup", which indicates overdone and, as here, unnecessary caution.

Good day and good game ;)

Hello everyone !

Today we are going to talk about the expression "Promise mountains and wonders".

 In the Middle Ages, it was said of someone who promised mountains and wonders, that he promised mountains and valleys (that is, valleys).

In the course of time, by a taste for repetition, typical of Old French, the image was forgotten and wonders took the place of valleys, thus reinforcing the meaning of the word mont, instead of completing it as previously.

The old French loved these pairs of words, similar sounds and meanings.

Curiously, many have come down to us: indeed, safe and sound, without faith or law, without fire or place, all fire all flame ...

Good day and good game ;)

Hello everyone !

In our Play with thought of the day we are going to talk about the phrase "lining up onions".

The expression actually comes from a great master of ceremonies at the court of Henry II of Valois, Artus de la Fontaine Solaro, baron of Onion and Lord of Vaumoise, who assigned their places to the lords.

 He used to cry out: "Close your ranks, Gentlemen, close your ranks" ... and the lords mock the ranks of Onion.

Good day and good game ;)

Hello everyone !

Our Play with Thought of the day comes from a cowboy and author.

"The cowboy is an ordinary worker, with heroic tendencies and a sense of humor."

John R. Erickson is best known for his Hank the Cowdog children's novel series.

Good day and good game ;)