1. An expression dating back to Chaucer's days in the 14th century, which referred to a dicing game in which it was considered foolhardy to bet on a six or seven.
2 The arabic numerals six and seven extend up and below the line, respectively. Thus sixes and sevens were considered a have a jumbled appearance.
3. Sixes and sevens refer to decibel levels. An argument at "sixes and sevens'" was thought to be loud and disorderly.
4. Chidren aged six and seven typically have conflicting emotions about authority vs. independence. The English phrase at "sixes and sevens" refers to this turbulent age period.
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Over a Barrel (at the mercy of another)
1. Slaves were often whipped by lying over a barrel
2. On shipboard poker games, wagers were often based on barrels of rum to be purchased when the ship reached port. Losers in the poker game were said to be "over the barrel."
3. Referred to those foolhardy souls who elected to try and go over Niagra falls in a barrel. Once they were secured inside the barrel and bobbing along the river, the adventurers were at the total mercy of the falls.
4. Before modern resuscitation techniques, near drowning victims were placed over a barrel to let their lungs drain out.
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Posh (classy and elegant)
1. Realtors have facetiously referred to the houses in the elegant Knightsbride section of London as POSH, standing for Pretentious, Ornate, Stylish and Huge.
2. Posh was an extremely elegant preparation of porridge, which was made with real cream and fresh honey, and a signature dish of the Savoy Hotel in London.
3. POSH referred to the most saught after berths on the boats traveling from London to Bombay. Port Over, Starboard Home, was preferred because the passenger would not be woken by the rising sun.
4. Posh is derived from the French word "pauche," describing a particularly fine vintage of grapes.
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Flotsam and Jetsam (discarded or useless items)
1. Flotsam and Jetsam were two characters in the Dicken's novel, the Pickwick Papers, who survived by collecting odds and ends from others' garbage.
2. Flotsam and jetsam are political terms referring to last minute amendments that were intended to favor the proposer's district only.
3. Flotsam and jetsam are both marine legal terms. Flotsam are goods that have been swept overboard and are found floating on the sea. Jetsam are good deliberately thrown overboard to lighten the load in an emergency.
4. Flotsam and jetsam is a football term, referring to those hopeful college players who are not drafted by the pros, but can be picked up during training camp.
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Turn a Blind Eye ( to ignore intentionally)
1. In the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, Admiral Horatio Nelson deliberately placed his telescope to his blind eye so that he could not see an order to retreat. A stunning victory ensued.
2. From the Bible, book of Matthew I:3
" And the lord sayeth to all that would judge,
Keep one eye blind to all failings and the other eye open to forgiveness."
3. From the Shakespeare play King Lear blinded by his daughter Regan's husband,
"I cannot turn this blind eye to my folly.
I know now that I must have more than I showest,
Speak less than thou knowest
And lend less than thou owest."
4. Turn a blind eye is another term for winking, a term used by English Bobbies, describing the practice of ignoring a crime and receiving a bribe in exchange.
