Emmett Stone 6/28/24 Emmett Stone 6/28/24

2747: Layered Idioms Jun 28, 2024

The word phrase is pretty generic, but an idiom is a type of phrase where the literal meaning of the words together could not indicate the meaning of the phrase. Because of the inherently indiscernible nature of idioms, they commonly pop up as euphemisms, obscuring a darker or more taboo topic. In the case of “bucket list” (i.e. things to do before one dies), this is a euphemistic idiom built upon another, namely “kick the bucket” [to die]. “Bucket list” is a fairly modern term staying true to its origins, but as with many old idioms “kicking the bucket” has obscured the original meaning of the component words, here that it was not ‘bucket’, but rather the French ‘buquet’, a device used to hold pigs in place to slaughter them.

Emmett Stone 4/19/24 Emmett Stone 4/19/24

2677: Who Is Steven, Even? Apr 19, 2024

There is a phrase, 'even-steven', usually not capitalized, that gets thrown around, but the question remains: who is, or was, Steven?

The answer for sure is no one person or really anything to do with the name, but it's not clear why. One theory is that this is just rhyming for emphasis, though that wouldn't explain the 'st-' in particular except that Steven is relatively common compared to other rhymes.

Another theory, however, places the steven from the Old English 'stefn' meaning 'voice' and likewise 'vote' or 'constitution; composure'. This is related to the German 'Stimmen' with the same range of meanings. It's possible that both theories are at play and that people opted for a somewhat relevant word that would carry more emphasis than saying 'even composition'.

Emmett Stone 1/9/21 Emmett Stone 1/9/21

2217: 'piping' hot Jan 9, 2021

The phrase 'piping hot' is pretty common, but the pipes in question might not be immediately evident. This is probably not how the word would be used today, but the phrase is attested since the 14th century from Chaucer:

He sente hir pyment meeth and spiced ale

And wafres pipyng hoot out of the glede.

[He sent her sweetened mead and well-spiced ale

And waffles piping hot out of the fire]

It is generally understood these days that the 'piping' in question is in reference to a sizzling or boiling sound from cooking likened to musical pipes.