Friday, December 17, 2010

I'll be there


Did you every wonder why we say certain phrases? I find such saying interesting.
for example... With bells on...

Thomas contributes: To be somewhere with "bells on" refers to a practice peddlers had when they roamed the area west of the Appalachians selling wares. To avoid Indians, they traveled as silently as possible until they reached a settled area. Then they unmuffled bells hung around their horses necks to announce their arrival to outlying cabins. Hence, "I'll be there with bells on." The peddlers' arrival was a much anticipated major event in the mostly tedious and hard lives of settlers, not only for the goods they sold, but also for the news, letters, and messages they carried from the outside world.

4 comments:

Galla Creek said...

How neat. I love learning new things.

Balisha said...

I never gave that expression much thought before. Thanks for telling us that story...Balisha

Sister--Helen said...

well I'll be a monkey's uncle, I did not know that

Margie's Musings said...

Neither did I!