Could our U.K. memebers tell us...

[H]

from whence:
the rule of thumb?
Goodnight, sleep tight?
Mind your Ps and Qs?
Wet your whistle?
the game of golf got its name?

8-)

[WebbPA]

I doubt even Fozzer remembers how golf got its name.

History of golf

The word golf was first mentioned in writing in 1457 on a Scottish statute on forbidden games as gouf, possibly derived from the Scots word goulf (variously spelled) meaning "to strike or cuff". This word may, in turn, be derived the Dutch word kolf, meaning "bat," or "club," and the Dutch sport of the same name. But there is an even earlier reference to the game of golf and it is believed to have happened in 1452 when King James II banned the game because it kept his subjects from their archery practice.

There is a persistent urban legend claiming that the term derives from an acronym "Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden". This is almost certainly a false etymology as acronyms being used as words is a fairly modern phenomenon, making the expression more likely to be a backronym.

[BAW0343]

Wet your whistle:

"Centuries ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. 'Wet your whistle' is the phrase inspired by this practice."

(I love Google  )

[BigTruck]

The American version of rule of thumb...it was legal to beat your wife with a stick as long as it was no thicker than your thumb (I have no idea if this is myth or true, but I like the idea LOL...like they say in the Boondock Saints...should have been the rule of wrist)

[H]

I have no idea if this is myth or true...

No need to be exacting... it's just a rule of thumb.

8-)

[H]

The word golf was first mentioned in writing in 1457 on a Scottish statute on forbidden games as gouf... There is a persistent urban legend claiming that the term derives from an acronym "Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden."

Are you sure it wasn't an old Scottish rendering of goof? The wife of an old golfer said the acronym was for "Game of Looney Fools."

I love Google.

At least you got a handle on it.

I have no idea if this is myth or true...

No need to be exacting... it's just a rule of thumb.

8-)

[BigTruck]

I have no idea if this is myth or true...

No need to be exacting... it's just a rule of thumb.

8-)

Still...should have been rule of wrist....

[H]

Hmn... I asked these of our U.K. members because all of these terms supposedly originated there; so far, the only responses are from this side of the puddle. We're still awaiting the source information for "Goonight, sleep tight" and we evidently can't mind our Ps and Qs; perhaps not that surprising since the latter has a locational relationship to "Wet your whistle."

8-)

[JBaymore]

I doubt even Fozzer remembers how golf got its name.

[Fozzer]

I doubt even Fozzer remembers how golf got its name.

Another English saying I am very familiar with:

"To get up someones nose"....

Quote:
Get up (someone's) nose Informal:  To annoy or irritate (someone)
End Quote.

Paul.... .... ... ...!

..another popular English saying, in combination with the above:
"If the Cap fits; wear it!"......!

[H]

...another popular English saying, in combination with the above: "If the Cap fits; wear it!"

Our equivelent is, "If the shoe fits, wear it!" We've already acknowledged that they've nothing upon which to place the cap.

P.S. Why has no one inquired what memebers are -- even I would like to know?

8-)

[Steve M]

Hmm, I nenever noticed that. 

[Hagar]

Wet your whistle:

"Centuries ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. 'Wet your whistle' is the phrase inspired by this practice."

I would take that with a very large pinch of salt. You would then need to wet your whistle.

[quote](I love Google