"That's a great deal to make one word mean," Alice said in a thoughtful tone. "When I make a word do a lot of work like that," said Humpty Dumpty, "I always pay it extra."

Wednesday 14 January 2009

As Cool as a Cucumber

Why? One might imagine that it was simply because eating cucumbers had a cooling effect due to their high water content – much as we might nowadays turn to a Water Melon on a warm day. But the origins of the phrase – which goes back at least to the 17th century when it was ‘cold as a cucumber’ – lies in the belief that cucumbers reduced lust. The phrase was especially applied to women and was intended to imply frigidity.

1 comment:

  1. Hmm did NOT know that. I see you posting on Pictures Prose and Poetry often, I enjoy your offerings, so decided to come by and visit! Nice blog. I hope today is pain free for you. :)

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