Origins of Idioms, Etc.!

I'm a bit of a logophile. I also love idioms, proverbs, the like.
Happy as a clam- The original phrase was 'as happy as a clam at high water' which is when predators are the most infrequent (therefore the clams would be happy! :D) and was later abbreviated to just 'happy as a clam'.
Jaywalking (one that occurred to me randomly)-is apparently derived from a Kansas City term, jay, which means 'boldness'.
It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings-Though there is much dispute over the grammar in this idiom (many people say 'til, or isn't instead of ain't) the origin of the 'fat lady' came from Brunnhilde, a very tedious opera that was oftentimes concluded by a solo from a fat lady.
Dude-It originally meant a "fastidious man" and was New York slang. It was later utilized by Easterners to describe their findings in the west (i.e., dude ranches)
Hello-The most likely origin of this word seems to be the German words 'hala' or 'hola' and skyrocketed in popularity when it was more favored as a telephone greeting than Alexander Graham Bell's suggestion, ahoy.
Zig-zag-This is probably from the French word zigzag, which was used in the 1670's, or, possibly, from the German word zickzack. This word was originally used in the German military to depict siege approaches, and in English to describe garden paths.
Tabby-This word was first used in the 1630's, and was gleaned from the French word 'tabis', meaning a rich, watered silk that was usually striped. This term was later applied to cats, can be used as a nickname for Tabitha, or even slang for a "difficult old woman" in the 18th century.
Suggestions, comments, or concerns? Let me know!


http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/ October 22, 2013.
 http://www.etymonline.com/Douglas Harper, 2013. October 22, 2013.

Columbus Day

I, quite honestly, never understood why Columbus was granted a holiday. He didn't actually discover America (Amerigo Vespucci was the one responsible.) But he will always be revered for depriving hundreds of thousands of natives of their homes, forcing them to become Catholics, enslaving them, stealing their food, and, of course, the occasional murder of an entire village. We cannot stress enough the importance of the rape of numerous women, an act which received Columbus' fervent blessing. One of his most prestigious achievements was severing the hands of one of the natives, tying them around his neck, and make him spread the message of his disobedience. America has continued honoring him on this very day for 106 years; the promotion of such heinous crimes will, hopefully, never cease. America the brave and beautiful it most certainly is.
http://www.understandingprejudice.org/nativeiq/columbus.htm October 14, 2013
http://campuspages.cvcc.vccs.edu/polis/2003/nonfiction/whitney%20dewitt.amlit.htm October 14, 2013

Reasons to Live

For anyone out there who is suicidal, who has ever wondered why they exist, who feel completely and utterly alone, or for those of you that have secrets that you want to share but can't quite bring yourself to, I hope you give your life a second chance. It's never too late to be what you could have been.
I know that a lot of people seem to think, once you turn a certain age, you're a superfluous being and any of your accomplishments can't hold a candle to those that were achieved at a younger age. Quevenzhane Wallis, for example, was renowned for being nominated for an Oscar. However, the fact that she was 9 was particularly emphasized. It is spectacular to win such a prestigious award at any age. She won it at 9 because she put a lot of time and effort into it, and she realized her passion at an early age. Another example that is used a lot is Mozart, who composed his first symphony at 7. Again, Mozart did so because he grew up in a household with a musical genius for a father, and playing instruments was greatly encouraged. I wrote a book (albeit a very, very brief one) when I was 6, because I interested in writing. It doesn't make me smarter or more talented than anyone else. I set a goal and I went for it.
In addition to this, a lot of people don't have a prolific life because they feel the burden of expectations, are afraid of failure, lack the motivation, etc. IF YOU DID NOT DO ANY OF THESE THINGS WHEN YOU WERE A KID/ADOLESCENT, YOU ARE NOT DUMB, AND YOU ARE MOST DEFINITELY NOT ALONE.
It is NOT too late for you or anyone else.
And...here are some examples of people that fulfilled their aspirations at a later age.
S.S. Kresge founded Kmart at 94. Nola Ochs graduated college at 95. Johanna Quas is 87 and currently holds the title for the world's oldest gymnast. "Grandma" Moses didn't start painting until age 76.
People who were rejected:
J.K. Rowling was declined a dozen times, Agatha Christie 6, Margaret Mitchell 38, Anne Frank's diary, 15, and John Grisham, 30 times.
Ellen Degeneres was originally an oyster shucker. Walter Disney's initial position was as a newspaper editor. Yo-Yo Ma's first instrument was a violin before he excelled at cello.

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”-Eric Roth

Please, please, please, please, I beg of you; if you feel as though you don't have anyone, think again. You have me. Feel free to contact me at any time if you are feeling alone, unwanted, hurt, depressed, as if you don't have a future, or any other reason.

Thank you for reading. Have a great day :)