The Millstone Times July 2018

The Logic of Logos and Catchphrases By Pam Teel

The old saying, “You can catch a bird by putting salt on its tail,” has been around for generations. It’s unknown how the saying began, but it appears to date back at least to the sixteenth century. So what is the thinking behind this “tail tale?” One theory suggests salting a bird’s tail startles it just long enough for you to catch it before it flies away, while another school of thought believes salt contains magical properties that cast a spell over the bird. Still others think salt on the bird’s tail feathers may interfere with its ability to take flight. While these are all interesting theories, it seems the answer lies within common sense. When it comes down to it, if you are close enough to get salt on a bird’s tail, you are close enough to catch it. Just because this piece of avian folklore is nothing more than myth, doesn’t mean there isn’t value in passing it along to the next generation. How many times have you heard this phrase, “It’s time to put ones shoul- der to the wheel.” Its meaning: to make a sustained, concentrated, and vigorous effort; to work very hard and diligently. An example being; I know that the new deadline is tight, but if everyone puts his or her shoulders to the wheel, I know we can get it done in time! Figurative usage dates back to the seventeenth century. In the physical sense one puts ones shoulder to the wheel to aid horses in pulling a cart or other vehicles stuck in mud or to help them over an obstacle. When the horse required such aid, it was certain that vigor- ous effort was enforced.

What about the phrase, “Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is?” Its meaning; to back up ones opinion with action. To live up to or follow through on something one talks about, threatens, or promises, especially (but not always) when it involves spending money. An example of this would be, “He promised to lower tax- es if he got elected so let’s see if he puts his money where his mouth is.” The imagery is from betting. “Suppose I assure you that a given horse is bound to win this afternoon's race; you challenge me whether I will put my money where my mouth is - that is, am I willing to risk my own money on this horse that I am advising others to bet on?” According to Collins's Dictionary of Slang, it dates from the 1940s.

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