Meaning of Old Phrases!

We use many phrases and perhaps we are not sure of how they came into being! Here are a few:

Blackballed

In the 18th century, people belonged to social clubs where gossip was discussed and connections were made. Members were admitted through anonymous voting with different colored balls. A red ball was a positive answer, while a black ball was a negative one. To be “blackballed” meant you were found wanting, cast out, and denied membership. We don’t use the physical balls anymore, but to be blackballed still means you’re getting excluded.

CC-ing

This acronym stands for “carbon copy,” which is how people used to copy handwritten messages. You would write on special carbon paper, and the pressure would transfer your writing to another copy. Today, we would just use a photocopier, but the idea of making copies still lingers in email terminology.

In the Nick of Time

During the 18th century, business owners would keep track of debts, interests, and loans on “tally sticks,” with notches carved on the wood. When you arrived to pay off your debt right before the next notch was carved, you had arrived “in the nick of time.”

Burning the Midnight Oil

This is a reference to the times before electricity, when houses were lit by oil-powered lamps. It refers to staying up late and burning the oil and creating more light for yourself at midnight.

Until next time!