Tuesday, October 4, 2016

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.

Links :
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25 comments:

  1. It is fun to see where & how sayings originated.

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    1. I agree, Mary! I love coming across the meaning of the "sayings" we grew up with, during my research of the period! Hugs and blessings! I need to visit with you about the book you won at the cover reveal! Hugs and blessings!

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    2. This is very interesting! Tjanks for sharing!!

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  2. Thanks for sharing. I never knew this...very interesting.

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  3. I love sayings and quotes. I had not heard the reasonings behind these sayings. Thank you for sharing, Miss Caryl, and have a wonderful day.

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    1. Hey there, friend! It was so good to see you and Brittany at the library last Saturday! Thanks for visiting Stitches Thru Time and commenting! I always love running across old sayings...one I'm trying to eliminate is "There's more than one way to skin a cat." OOooo, who wants to DO such a thing??? tee hee hee Hugs and blessings!

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  4. You are so welcome, Debbie! I thought it was interesting, too! I appreciate you stopping by and commenting! :)

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  5. Interesting -- the grindstone saying. Have you done any research on "Saved by the Bell," and "Dead Ringer" and how the two may be related?

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    1. I haven't, James! I only came across these in my researching grain mills or grists, then thought that was interesting so did a little more digging! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! Did I mention that the Amazon Top 50 reviewer who gave THE BEDWARMER'S SON his personal six star rating, is a man? I hope you'll enjoy reading it! Blessings

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    1. Thanks Kim, for coming by and for your comment! Blessings!

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  7. I am a avid reader, looking forward to reading one of your books

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    1. Don't the terms avid reader and authors just go so well together? :) Thanks for your comment and reading so much, Barbara! Blessings!

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  8. I like hearing the reasons behind an old saying or custom. I believe I read somewhere that brides carried bouquets to help cover the smell because they didn't bathe as often or had to use the same water as others!

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    1. FUN, Anomy! Thanks for your comment! Blessings!

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  9. I really enjoy reading your books!

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    1. Yay! I'm so glad you do, Linda! I appreciate your endorsement and comment! Blessings!

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  10. I really enjoy reading your books!

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  11. I always enjoy learning the origin of some of the popular sayings I have heard all of my life. Thanks for sharing this post and for a chance to win The Bedwarmer.
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Me, too, Connie. It's crazy how we say them without knowing! But mama and Granddad said them! Thanks for coming by! Blessings!

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  12. Intersting where old sayings originated from. Thank you for sharing, Caryl. I'm looking forward to reading The Bedwarmer's Son. Maybe I'll have to move it closer to the top of my TBR pile. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of this great book based on the reviews I've seen. Keep writing for His glory, Caryl. God bless. marilynridgway78{at}gmail{dot}com

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    1. I agree, Marilyn! It's just interesting how these old sayings have survived so many generations. And that by now, we don't really know the whys behind them. Thank you, and I sure will. Praying my story gives God glory is the mantra I've adopted! Blessings!

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  13. Great information, Caryl. I look forward to reading this one as I do all of your outstanding books. I just am behind on my reading list and my writing. I have no doubt that this is a very special book full of God's glory.

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    1. Thank you, Connie! My TBR pile (got a whole new bookcase to put pile in!) may never be gone as I add to it faster than I can read! BLESSINGS!

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  14. Great information, Caryl. I look forward to reading this one as I do all of your outstanding books. I just am behind on my reading list and my writing. I have no doubt that this is a very special book full of God's glory.

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