What does it mean, where did it come from?

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	Forums > Off-Topic_Chat > What does it mean, where did it come from?
Ron Brind Posts: 19041 Joined: 26th Oct 2003 Location: England	quotePosted at 22:01 on 26th March 2010 A very well known saying here in the UK but where did it come from, and what does it really mean? The Rule of Thumb... My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
James Prescott Posts: 25952 Joined: 11th Jan 2010 Location: UK	quotePosted at 22:03 on 26th March 2010 never heard of that before ron have you just made it up ive heard of under the thumb maybe its the same My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Ron Brind Posts: 19041 Joined: 26th Oct 2003 Location: England	quotePosted at 22:09 on 26th March 2010 No, didn't make it up James. Heard it used today (have heard it many times before of course) and was surprised to hear the explanation (right or wrong). It supposedly refers to a man being able to beat his wife with a stick that was no bigger than the thickness of his thumb! Hence the question. So members, over to you now! My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
James Prescott Posts: 25952 Joined: 11th Jan 2010 Location: UK	quotePosted at 22:29 on 26th March 2010 have you heard of this saying down your way " swinging the lead " My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Rafal Bartkowiak Posts: 210 Joined: 21st Mar 2009 Location: UK	quotePosted at 22:39 on 26th March 2010 On 26th March 2010 22:01, Ron Brind wrote: A very well known saying here in the UK but where did it come from, and what does it really mean? The Rule of Thumb... Hello Ron,that's what Wiki say; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thumb If this is what you've been looking for then great.But if not then I'm sorry,you can delete this post . My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
cathyml Posts: 23275 Joined: 25th Jan 2010 Location: South Africa	quotePosted at 05:36 on 27th March 2010 I would have guessed it was used as a measure, similar to using a "hand" for the height of horses. But wiki does give a great explanation! My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Ron Brind Posts: 19041 Joined: 26th Oct 2003 Location: England	quotePosted at 08:52 on 27th March 2010 Hi James, Rafal and CathyML. Yes, good explanation from Wiki and 'Swinging the Lead' James? That's what our Peter has been doing for a lifetime.......you ask him. Lol Anyway for those who don't know, are you able to enlighten us James? My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
James Prescott Posts: 25952 Joined: 11th Jan 2010 Location: UK	quotePosted at 12:25 on 27th March 2010 good afternoon all, yes swinging the lead is an old saying up here meaning trying to get out of doing things by pretending you are unable to an example is ----------when the wife asks you to do a bit of digging and you say you have a bad back and you havent, you are swinging the lead. which i have done many times. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
cathyml Posts: 23275 Joined: 25th Jan 2010 Location: South Africa	quotePosted at 15:36 on 27th March 2010 Here are some web pages where there are arguments for and against this being a nautical term (and other interesting trivia!!) http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/swing-the-lead.html http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question56578.html http://www.the-old-sea-dog.net/uk5.html My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Ron Brind Posts: 19041 Joined: 26th Oct 2003 Location: England	quotePosted at 22:00 on 28th March 2010 Without looking it up how about 'Swap me Bob' ? My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions