1095 words
Today we want to explore the history of popular sayings that have remained a part of the english vernacular over the years. We've all heard sayings like take it with a grain of salt or break a leg or meat meat meat we have extra meat, but where do these sayings originate? How do they permeate the general population? And how has that changed over the years?
To start, let's examine the popular saying the early worm is a worm but birds aren't that? Welllllllll iunno. Read up on the 1944 hearing Granjer v Granjer. It's a simple saying, one which we all know the meaning. But where did it come from? It's a question that was asked just now so let's look into this. Surprisingly, it all began with one man and that's where this story might begin. Or not. Let's find out.
In 1829, James Horb was tilling his field. In those days, tilling meant that you did the work yourself. You didn't outsource it to, say, a tractor or another tractor because in those days tractors didn't exist among the poor or the rich but they did exist nonetheless (Tractors??, Horbmore, 1933). So you tilled and tilled with the hands you were given. This is what was known as "tilling with your handsssssss." So what? How does that relate here? Good question. It doesn't. Or does it? Provide your email to find out more.
When James Horb finished tilling he realized that the work was hard, something he had realized before but he again realized it again this time again. This was the nature of James Horb's life. Till, realize it was hard, till again. Not a compelling life but nonetheless it was his life. The work never seemed to end. Regardless of how much James Horb tilled he would innevitabely have to till again the coming morning. Why? Well, that's what fucking happens when you till. You gotta till more when there's tilling to do. It's math. Do the math. Ok moving on.
One morning James Horb was tilling quite furiously which was uncommon for James Horb as he often tilled just below the furious threshold. James finished the work approximately four minutes earlier than usual and he was proud. He took the time to look around and absorb the crisp air with an awareness that cleared his mind and his lungs. It was refreshing. It was simple. Yet it was transformative. James Horb felt a connection to himself and the land he had tilled for years as he had never felt. The next morning James Horb tilled as usual. That feeling had passed. He was James Horb once again.
And this is how the phrase the early worm is a worm but birds aren't birds when they aren't? Welllllllll iunno. Read up on the 1984bb hearing Granjer v Granjerrrrrrrr came about. But how did it infiltrate the english langauge to such a large extent? We'll get into that in a moment but for the time being let's focus on how this phrase infiltrated the english language to such a large extent.
After the war people were looking for a new phrase to say as they were tired of old ones such as this is a phrase now ride that trolly!!! and hmmmmmmmmmm and how about it, Mr. Willingsworth? We need a fourth! These phrases were used ad infinum and the population was aching for something to propel them into the new century. The council took note of this and prepared their preparations. It was an arduous task but what else could be done? Nothing. It was the way things became to be in that time and other times thereafter.
The council began vetting hundreds of sayings. Some of them included but were not limited to:
Sayingsssss: this is a saying
Saying 2: hmmmmmmmm again
Why?
The coffee is pretty good but I just come here mostly to be around people. Feels good.
Table is kinda wobbly. Spilled my coffee there. Not a big deal. I'll grab some napkins.
For months, the council argued and fought and loved and cried and went through an infinite number of emotions that had nothing to do with choosing a new saying. They were people with individual lives and each of them had a lot of other shit going on. The new saying was chosen in about 14 minutes. The finalists for the sayings included James Horb's saying as well as a few others including the other finalists which included the following:
Early worm? Welllll how about a LATE worm hahaha. Ok folks don't forget to leave your email with Brenda at the door.
The bird and the worm. One had a germ. The other gave a hhhheerm. Now they have a NNNNneermmmm. Neat.
Early worms and early birds: a look into this and why it isn't.
Forget about using your real name. Just give them a fake name. People can't know we were here. Which people? ALL OF THEM.
Bbbbvvvvvvvvv!!!!
It was an impossible decision so the council deferred to a new algorithm that was recently invented for this very purpose by the famous mathemetician Herbert Nnnnnn. Why? Who fucking knows man. History is tough because do we really know what happened? No. We don't. Ok. So they used this fucking formula and BAM out came James Horb's saying with a BAM. The council was shocked to say the least. A saying of this magnitude could shift the general public's opinion into dangerous territory. The council tried to cover it up but then they didn't and thus we have this saying. And what'dya know, the public's opinion didn't change after all. It never does. Gotta stick to what you know. Anything new and challenging that doesn't fit into the early childhood programming that solidified your world view can be quickly discarded as fodder. Yep. Cool. Cool ok then.
And this is how we have this particular saying. This is why you know it so goddamn well and say it every day. I just used it 10 minutes ago and got a token for 7 free at my next purchase when I purchase 7 or more. That's our economy at work, folks. Gotta feed the economy and the economy will feed you! It's classic Klinsmeann Economics. You demand something and then the supply comes. You get supplied and that's the crux of it. No need to look into this further.
Now, let's move on. James Horb's saying is just one of many sayings. So how did all these other sayings we know so well come to be? Let's examine this in depth.
In conclusion, thanks.