Did you ever wonder where some of the
curious expressions that we use very day originated? I have. For
example, I wish someone would tell me when I engage in conversation it
is referred to as "shooting the bull?" Why do people say I'm not worth a
"hill of beans" or that I'm "full of prunes?" Why does my wife always
have a "bone to pick with me" and what did I ever do to deserve being
called henpecked, a piker, or a four flusher?
I don't want to "make a mountain out of a
mole hill" here but I would like to illustrate how at least one of
these phrases originated. I'm sure you've never heard this version
before so I thought I'd "turn over a new leaf" and tell you a totally
true story for once.
It seems that Duane wanted to go into
Spokane to buy a new pair of jeans because his 15 year old pair was
showing signs of excessive wear. Don't get me wrong, Duane was not poor,
in fact Duane had done quite well in the purebred cattle business.
Duane "had more money than he could keep dry." It's just that he never
would spend any of it. To give you an idea of how cheap Duane is I am
told when he's sleeping he always gets out of bed to turn over so he
won't wear out the sheets. Yet "he has enough money to burn a wet mule."
Back to my true story. Duane loaded up
his wife and their best friends, a neighboring couple about their age.
For the long journey to Spokane Duane's wife had packed a basket of Spam
sandwiches with mayo on white bread so it would not be necessary to
stop at one of those expensive truck stops along the way. The trip was
an adventure due to the age of Duane's car. It was so old it was still
insured for theft, fire and Indian raids. It was about "to kick the
bucket" you could say. His license plate holder proudly stated, "My
other car is a piece of junk too."
Duane, along with his wife and two
guests, pulled up in front of the Goodwill store in Spokane. It was at
this moment that Duane was introduced for the first time to one of the
modern wonders of the twentieth century… the parking meter. They weren't
here the last time Duane bought pants!
At first Duane thought the parking meter
was a pay toilet for dogs but then he read the instructions and let out a
howl that could be heard all the way to Boise.
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