Our
friend Elvina recently sent us an email that revealed the history and
origin of a number of sayings that we grew up with. Of course, we didn't
know the origin of these sayings, so it's fun to find out how they came
to be. This is part 2 of 3: Riff-Raff; State Rooms; Sleep Tight; Showboating; Over a Barrel.
RIFF RAFF The
Mississippi River was the main way of traveling from north to south.
River-boats carried passengers and freight but they were expensive so
most people used rafts. Everything had the right of way over rafts which
were considered cheap. The steering oar on the rafts was called a
"riff" and this transposed into riff-raff, meaning low class.
SHIP STATE ROOMS
Traveling by steamboat was considered the height of comfort. Passenger cabins on the boats were not numbered. Instead they were named after states. To this day cabins on ships are called staterooms.
Traveling by steamboat was considered the height of comfort. Passenger cabins on the boats were not numbered. Instead they were named after states. To this day cabins on ships are called staterooms.
SLEEP TIGHT
Early beds were made with a wooden frame. Ropes were tied across the frame in a criss-cross pattern. A straw mat-tress was then put on top of the ropes. Over time the ropes stretched, causing the bed to sag. The owner would then tighten the ropes to get a better night's sleep.
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| Sleep tight came from pulling the bed ropes tight! |
Early beds were made with a wooden frame. Ropes were tied across the frame in a criss-cross pattern. A straw mat-tress was then put on top of the ropes. Over time the ropes stretched, causing the bed to sag. The owner would then tighten the ropes to get a better night's sleep.
SHOWBOAT
These were floating theaters built on a barge that was pushed by a steamboat. These played small town along the Mississippi River. Unlike the boat shown in the movie "Showboat" these did not have an engine. They were gaudy and attention grabbing which is why we say someone who is being the life of the party is "showboating".
These were floating theaters built on a barge that was pushed by a steamboat. These played small town along the Mississippi River. Unlike the boat shown in the movie "Showboat" these did not have an engine. They were gaudy and attention grabbing which is why we say someone who is being the life of the party is "showboating".
OVER A BARREL
In the days before CPR a drowning victim would be placed face down over a barrel and the barrel would be rolled back and forth in a effort to empty the lungs of water. It was rarely effective. If you are over a barrel you are in deep trouble.
In the days before CPR a drowning victim would be placed face down over a barrel and the barrel would be rolled back and forth in a effort to empty the lungs of water. It was rarely effective. If you are over a barrel you are in deep trouble.
