Two Old Sayings & Where They Originated

Origins are clouded in antiquity for two colloquialisms still used today:  ‘Keep your nose to the grindstone’ and ‘Rule of thumb’.

William Sinclair—owner and master of Three Springs, a thriving plantation in the mid-1800s just outside Dalton, Georgia—would swear that those two terms refer to the workings of his grist mill. When milling seed into flour, if it is ground too long, it will burn. Consequently, that’s why a miller would ‘keep his nose to the grindstone’ to smell any hint of scorch.

On the other hand, period blacksmiths would wager that they were responsible for the cliché ‘keep your nose to the grindstone’.

And unlike the barristers in eighteenth century England would adhere to the rule that it was lawful for a man to beat his wife as long as the stick wasn’t bigger than his thumb,  William Sinclair’s rule of thumb would be referring to the granular quality of his flour when rolled between the index finger and opposing digit.

So while the different camps continue to argue the true origins of those two old time common sayings that made their way into the twenty-first century, I’ll just keep my nose to the grindstone pounding out more stories like THE BEDWARMER’S SON, remembering my rule of thumb is that I pray my story gives God glory!

I am blown away and humbled by the reviews coming in. Many say this story is my best yet. One Amazon ‘Top 50’ reviewer said “Characters and story are tantalizingly revealed, Southern slow, like brewin’ sweet tea in the sun. That makes this historical novel part mystery paralleled to antebellum romance plus plenty of period introspection. Caryl McAdoo’s colloquialism writing style places readers into the adventure, back in time, as close as kinfolk. “THE BEDWARMER’S SON” reaches my personal 6-star rating of delightful reading. Possibly McAdoo’s magnum opus to date, certainly a piece de resistance."   

I understand that this is God sending His favor and blessing me with wonderful stories…but that He choose to use me…is so amazing. The reviews bring glory bumps and tears over and again! 

Giveaway: The Bedwarmer' Son! To enter, comment below, and get one extra 'entry' for each friend you invite to "Stitches Thru Time" who also comments (be sure they say you invited them) and BOTH will win a copy!  See below for a free book for everyone! 

Bio : Caryl McAdoo is all about loving God! She currently writes four series: the historical Christian ‘Texas Romance’; a contemporary ‘Red River Romance’; The Generations, her Biblical fiction, and the newest Days of Dread Trilogy for mid-grade readers. Known as the Singing Pray-er, she loves praising with new songs the Lord gives her and prays her story gives God glory! In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty-plus years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and sixteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Besides glorifying Him, she hopes each title will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State with two grandsons.

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