Where Did Those Old Sayings and Rituals Come From?

[Mystic Wanderer]

Have you ever heard the term, 'piss poor'?

Back in the olden days, urine was used to tan animal hides. Every one kept a pot to pee in then sold it to the tannery. But some people were so poor, they didn't even have a pot to pee in, thus the term, 'piss poor' arose.

I remember both my Grandmothers having a large round tin can under the bed that they used during the night so they wouldn't have to go to the out-house in the dark or cold, but I don't remember anyone ever saying anything about selling their urine. I think those days were long gone.

Ever wonder why Brides carry a bouquet during a marriage ceremony?

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June.

However, since they were starting to smell, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor.

Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Here's another one that has survived over the years...

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water.

The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women, and finally the children. Last of all the babies.

By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!”

Having pork to eat was like having a delicacy, and made them feel proud. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off.

It was a sign of wealth that a man could “bring home the bacon.” They would cut off a little to share with guests, and would all sit around and “chew the fat.”

There are many more "sayings and rituals" that you can read about from the Source Article.

It is a part of our heritage, especially in the South U.S., that we need to remember. Enjoy!