tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891806199544342254.post5073684969066395208..comments2024-03-22T05:15:03.925-04:00Comments on calico: A word or two on an ugly boot.callyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125265961242085149noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891806199544342254.post-74410111520866765962008-06-02T23:37:00.000-04:002008-06-02T23:37:00.000-04:00I love the irony in the way you act like your not ...I love the irony in the way you act like your not good with words! Amazing stuff, girl!Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554535880101320716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891806199544342254.post-77154423468409151252008-05-21T21:32:00.000-04:002008-05-21T21:32:00.000-04:00My husband likes to mix his metaphors, too. One of...My husband likes to mix his metaphors, too. One of his favorites is "Take the bull by the horns -- and run with it!"Daisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11647906900944224234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891806199544342254.post-79533661312355515842008-05-19T09:38:00.000-04:002008-05-19T09:38:00.000-04:00love the insight.love the insight.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891806199544342254.post-67167267948300467482008-05-18T16:57:00.000-04:002008-05-18T16:57:00.000-04:00Thanks for the history of the nursery rhym, I just...Thanks for the history of the nursery rhym, I just thought it was about some prozac filled crazy lady. (Probably FLDS) You are an amzaing writer Callie - you have some real talent there.wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13619293936418976914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891806199544342254.post-52542845222832739382008-05-17T19:00:00.000-04:002008-05-17T19:00:00.000-04:00I had no idea that's what it was about. Learn som...I had no idea that's what it was about. Learn something every day!Scribbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03178711182424809035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891806199544342254.post-5343921097691103262008-05-16T17:31:00.000-04:002008-05-16T17:31:00.000-04:00Cally, loved this post. I guess today is a 'huge' ...Cally, loved this post. I guess today is a 'huge' learning day for me. I had never researched this before. toodles, SheilaShEiLahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12439819553846591903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891806199544342254.post-27794343439759834262008-05-16T16:29:00.000-04:002008-05-16T16:29:00.000-04:00ummm....dude? i'm so confused now. it hurts. th...ummm....dude? i'm so confused now. it hurts. the thinking. it hurts. oh the pain.The Coatney'shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13500168873341246623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891806199544342254.post-8065150257055339102008-05-16T16:04:00.000-04:002008-05-16T16:04:00.000-04:00Whoa!! I learned something new today. Thanks Cally...Whoa!! I learned something new today. Thanks Cally and Lori for filling my brain. I am going to impresses my hubby with all my new knowledge tonight. Good thing I blog ;)Miahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05723136797858906341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891806199544342254.post-40659959715977214412008-05-16T15:44:00.000-04:002008-05-16T15:44:00.000-04:00brilliant, lori. Who knew?brilliant, lori. Who knew?callyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07125265961242085149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891806199544342254.post-40720601051472330442008-05-16T14:27:00.000-04:002008-05-16T14:27:00.000-04:00Sorry I got my cuts and pastes messed up before. 2...Sorry I got my cuts and pastes messed up before. 2nd try:<BR/><BR/>The phrase "toe the line" is equivalent to "toe the mark," both of which mean to conform to a rule or a standard. The Oxford Dictionary of Word Histories (Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 2002; ed. by Glynnis Chantrell) says, "The idiom toe the line from an athletics analogy originated in the early 19th century" (514). <BR/>The specific sport referred to is foot-racing, where the competitors must keep their feet behind a "line" or on a "mark" at the start of the race--as in "On your mark, get set, <BR/>go!" <BR/><BR/>So one who "toes the line" is one who does not allow his foot to stray over the line. In other words, one who does not stray beyond a rigidly defined boundary<BR/>Source: http://grammartips.homestead.com/toetheline.html<BR/>-----------------------------------<BR/>While the phrase has been indisputably re-used several times throughout history, from naval ships, to boxing, to foot races, the most convincing origin of the phrase comes from the House of Commons in British Parliament. <BR/><BR/>The House of Commons, historically and currently in its modern form, has two sets of lines separating the front row benches. These lines are better than a "sword's length" apart from each other, to keep over excited members from appealing to their swords to settle debate. It was quite common through much of the House's history, dating back to the 14th Century, to have its members armed with swords. <BR/><BR/>In modern courtrooms you may hear a judge demand "order, order in the courtroom" in times of heated exchange. In the House of Commons, the Speaker would demand that members, "Toe the line, toe the line," if debate was becoming heated, particularly along the front rows. The mortal consequences of heated exchange between armed men demanded strict adherence to the House rules. Thus, the phrase “toe the line” was echoed throughout the House to return order and to quell the growing conflict. <BR/><BR/>The primary connotation of “toe the line” is: “To adhere to rules or doctrines conscientiously; conform” (American Heritage) and “To conform to a rule or standard” (Oxford). Thus “toeing the line” was conforming to the rules of the House of Commons, just as maintaining “order” is conforming to the rules of a courtroom. <BR/><BR/>A visit to the House of Commons at The Palace of Westminster will confirm this version of the idiom’s history and they will proudly show you the two lines running through the hall. <BR/><BR/>The most commonly cited source for the “sports origin” theory is foot-racing, where the competitors must keep their feet behind a "line" or on a "mark" at the start of the race—as in "On your mark, get set, go!" So one who "toes the line" is one who does not allow his foot to stray over the line. Another sports theory is boxing, where two boxers were required to stand toe to toe with one another on a line. A referee would call out, "Toe the line!" requiring both boxers to put their respective toes on a chalk line, face each other and get ready to box. <BR/>Source: http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/toe+the+lineLorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13759586121672152426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891806199544342254.post-12147663268331924382008-05-16T14:24:00.000-04:002008-05-16T14:24:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13759586121672152426noreply@blogger.com