Fun Fact November 18, 2021.
Have you ever had your druthers? What exactly are druthers and how does one get them? According to Vocabulary dot com, Druthers are things you have the right or chance to do. When you have your druthers, you can do what you want. This word always appears in the plural form and usually in a phrase like “If I had my druthers…” It refers to a preference, wish, or desire. If you had your druthers, maybe you would sleep till 11 every day. The word druthers has it’s origin in the US, first cited in the January 1870 edition of Overland monthly and Out West magazine. It is most likely a shorting or contraction of the phrase I’d rather or would rather. If I had my druthers, I’d fill the Camping For Hunger bus until nothing else would fit. Listen to the podcast here; https://theriver953.com/lonnies-fun-fact/
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Fun Fact November 8, 2021.
Holy smoke, it’s Monday again! How often have you heard that phrase, holy smoke, or plural holy smokes and from where did it come? A good question, but according to World Wide Words dot org, is difficult to answer. The expression dates from the latter part of the nineteenth century. The first reference in the Oxford English Dictionary is in a book by Rudyard Kipling published in 1982. It does indeed seem to be of American origin. The OED has this from Sir John Beaumont, dated about 1627: “Who lift to God for us the holy smoke / Of fervent prayers”. That would indicate a reference to the burnt offerings mentioned in the bible where the offering is blessed, then the smoke lifts the prayers upward to heaven. Smoke is not the only thing that can be holy. You’ve heard of holy Moses, a holy terror and holy Joe and the ever popular holy cow! Listen to the podcast here; https://theriver953.com/lonnies-fun-fact/
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Fun Fact October 13, 2021.
Oh, for Pete’s sake! where did the phrase come from? According to USA Today dot com for Pete’s sake originated as a substitute for “for Christ’s (or God’s) sake,” and other similar expressions. It uses a shortened form of the disciple St. Peter’s name instead was considered less offensive. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “for Pete’s sake” came into use more than a century ago and prompted similar sayings such as “for the love of Pete” in 1906 and “in the name of Pete” in 1942. There is even an official, although not widely known or celebrated, “For Pete’s Sake Day” celebrated on February 26th each year. Listen to the podcast here; https://theriver953.com/lonnies-fun-fact/
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