Browsed by
Tag: relationships

Chew the Fat

Chew the Fat

Comments 7 comments

Chew the Fat--family around a table for ThanksgivingOur family loves to meet and eat. Thanksgiving, Christmas, special birthdays, or for no reason at all. We also love to chew the fat, spending hours talking and laughing.

To chew the fat means to have long, relaxed conversations.

  • No rush
  • Easy laughter
  • No schedule

We enjoy leisure from the daily grind.

To chew the fat involves little or no heavy discussion.

We simply shoot the breeze. Chats stay:

  • Friendly
  • Relaxed
  • Informal

Conversations may occasionally include bits of gossip. When tempted to gossip, we need to bite our tongue.

Two other expressions share similar meanings.

  • Chew the rag
  • Chew the cud

Origins for chew the fat and chew the rug are unknown. People have guessed possibilities but with no certainty. We find a simpler explanation for chew the cud.

According to Phrase Finder, a cud is the food cows “bring back into their mouths from their first stomach to chew at leisure.” We see that slow chewing while cows graze in pastures.

Enjoy special time to chew the fat with friends and family.

Make memories and strengthen relationships. They are gifts from God.

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:16 NIV).

Thanks to Gail Gosser and Regina Graham for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels

Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels

Comments 10 comments

Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels--wood bowl filled with loose change

I remember my dad saying, “Don’t take any wooden nickels.” At the time, I had no idea what he meant. I knew wooden nickels were not real money. So, why would he make such a strange statement?

Don’t take any wooden nickels warns us not to be conned or swindled.

A wooden nickel is:

  • Fake
  • Worthless
  • Suspicious

Don’t be fooled.

Take precautions. Never accept anything unless you know it is the real thing.

Don’t take any wooden nickels offers a word to the wise.

Before trying anything new, check with people who:

We often hear this primarily American phrase when people say goodbye.

The speaker means:

  • Be careful.
  • Take care of yourself.

According to The Free Dictionary, it probably originated in the early 20th century. “Country residents visiting the city were considered easily duped.” Therefore, they needed to protect themselves from being deceived.

Banks used wooden nickels for promotions during and after the Great Depression.

They redeemed the fake coins for prizes.

 Don’t cheat and don’t get cheated.

We never want to hornswoggle or be hornswoggled. Instead, let’s stay so honest that people can take it to the bank.

“If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:11 NIV).

Thanks to Sharon Berry, Laurel Blevins, Karen Hart, Judy Glen Corbin, Beckham Wilson, and Rebecca Stafford for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Cold Shoulder

Cold Shoulder

Comments 4 comments

Cold Shoulder--back of a young woman with off-the-shoulder blouse in a field of yellow flowersHas anyone given you the cold shoulder? It’s no fun, is it?

To receive a cold shoulder means people ignore or reject you.

They:

  • Snub you.
  • Pay no attention to you.
  • Turn away from you.

Rejection is depressing.

A cold shoulder is not accidental. Those who snub you have no interest in contact with you.

The origin of cold shoulder probably differs from widespread belief.

According to The Phrase Finder and The Free Dictionary, many people believe this expression began with a nineteenth century custom.

  • Hosts served a meal of roasted meat to welcomed guests.
  • They served a cold shoulder of meat to guests who outstayed their welcome.

The Phrase Finder says, “There’s no evidence to support this view.” It adds, “The first reference to the phrase in print is in Sir Walter Scott’s ‘The Antiquary,’ 1816.”

Rather than an unfriendly cold shoulder, show love and concern for others.

“If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear” (1 John 3:17 MSG).

Thanks to Kay Emerick for the suggestion. Image by Eszter Miller from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Throw Your Hat into the Ring

Throw Your Hat into the Ring

Comments 8 comments

Throw Your Hat into the Ring--two people throwing their hats into the air with the sun setting behind themDo you often throw your hat into the ring? Maybe for a group activity, fun event, or political office? You decide to give it a whirl.

If you throw your hat into the ring, you announce your decision to join or compete.

You may:

  • Enter a contest.
  • Make or accept a challenge.
  • Participate in a special event.
  • Start a new step in life.

Throw your hat into the ring began with boxing.

According to The Phrase Finder, “The expression dates from at least the early 19th century.” Boxing rings were “circular spaces in a crowd of onlookers.” No “square roped ‘rings’” like today. If someone wanted to compete, he threw his hat into the ring. That was easier than shouting above the noisy crowd.

Be careful before you throw your hat into the ring.

Many activities prove worthwhile. Others you want to avoid at all costs.

When Jesus calls, always follow.

The cost may be great, but the reward will be greater. Many believers endure persecution such as:

  • Ridicule
  • Job loss
  • Rejection from friends and family
  • Imprisonment
  • Death

Nevertheless, they throw their hat into the ring with Jesus. They prefer to suffer rather than deny their Savior.

“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3 NIV).

 Thanks to Lam DeBrot for the suggestion. Photo by Nabil Naidu with Pexels.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Satisfy Like Honey on a Warm Biscuit

Satisfy Like Honey on a Warm Biscuit

Comments 6 comments

Satisfy Like Honey on a warm biscuit--honey drizzled on a split biscuitCold winter days call for comfort food. Nothing satisfies like honey on a warm biscuit. It fills our stomachs and sticks to our ribs.

To satisfy like honey on a warm biscuit means to comfort or indulge.

As sweet as honey on a warm biscuit is a related simile. SimiliesGuru.com says the expression is used “for cozy, satisfying happiness.”

Our sources of satisfaction differ.

Some of us enjoy a good book. Others prefer a long walk. Many find satisfaction in both.

We may also enjoy:

  • Time with friends and family
  • Travel
  • Naps

Choices vary according to our personalities and interests.

Reading the Bible satisfies better than honey on a warm biscuit.

God’s Word offers:

  • Lessons for daily life
  • The way to eternal life
  • Direction for life decisions

It also reminds us that our words and actions matter. Luke 6:31 tells us to treat others like we want them to treat us. Be as sweet to them as we want them to be sweet to us. Remember, we catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

Seek satisfaction that lasts.

Follow God’s guidance for joy that never fails.

“But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you” (Psalm 81:16 NIV).

Thanks to Sharon Berry for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Neither Here nor There

Neither Here nor There

Comments 15 comments

Neither Here nor There--sign post with signs "This Way" and "That Way"Many things that steal our attention are neither here nor there. They take our time but matter little or not at all.

Neither here nor there means unimportant.

The information or action:

  • Does not relate to the circumstances
  • Will not change anything

Therefore, who cares?

Think of daily activities that are neither here nor there.

  • Time on social media
  • Scrolling through television channels
  • Trying to be more important than one another

Frequent decisions are neither here nor there.

Either choice is okay, six of one and half a dozen of another. Examples include:

  • Where or what to eat
  • Which outfit to wear
  • What games to play

According to The Free Dictionary, “this term dates from the sixteenth century.”

Although not the first to use it, Shakespeare included it in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Othello.

When choices do matter, choose wisely.

  • Invest in what lasts.
  • Show respect for everyone.
  • Follow God’s direction.
  • Share God’s love.

“As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message.” (Galatians 2:6 NIV).

Thanks to Rita Smalley for the suggestion. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Filled to the Brim

Filled to the Brim

Comments 15 comments

Filled to the Brim-Coffee pot filling a Christmas coffee mug to the topThis time of year, our lives become filled to the brim. That can be both good and bad.

Filled to the brim means completely full.

We have no room left for anything else. Our cups run over.

Christmas often results in:

  • Activities that crowd every minute
  • More food than we can possibly eat
  • Music, lights, and decorations that leave us in awe

All that overflow results in emotional highs and lows.

  • We love time with friends and family. Yet, we need quiet moments too.
  • The food tastes wonderful. But overeating leaves us sluggish and makes our tummies hurt.
  • Sights and sounds lift our spirits. However, they eventually leave us exhausted.

Filled to the brim also means totally satisfied.

We frequently search for satisfaction in things and activities. Yet, they always fall short.

True satisfaction comes only through a relationship with Jesus.  

Jesus:

  • Came to earth as a baby
  • Lived a perfect life
  • Gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins
  • Rose from the grave in victory over sin and death
  • Offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who accept Him as Savior and Lord

That, my friend, is a filled-to-the-brim life.

And that is what Christmas is all about.

“Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim” (John 2:7 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Look Like a Million Bucks

Look Like a Million Bucks

Comments 5 comments

Look Like a Million Bucks--two older womenMom and Aunt Ersie always wanted to look like a million bucks. On their worst days, they still liked to look good. At Aunt Ersie’s eightieth birthday celebration, they certainly achieved their goal.

If we look like a million bucks, we look great.

A million bucks means a million dollars. That’s looking good! An attractive appearance, like we just stepped out of a band box, usually makes us feel better. Try it.

If we feel like a million bucks, we feel great.

Other steps for a happy and healthy life include:

  • Exercise
  • A balanced diet
  • Plenty of water
  • A regular sleep schedule

Positive thoughts help us look and feel better.

Likewise, negative thoughts lead to negative appearances and emotions. For the best life, avoid stinking thinking.

We never want to look like a million bucks but treat others poorly.

Remember, pretty is as pretty does.

God gives us worth and beauty.

We are all different, but God loves every one of us. That’s worth more than a million bucks!

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV).

Thanks to Margaret Jane Cleasby for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Scapegoat

Scapegoat

Comments 8 comments

Scapegoat--goat lying in field, face to cameraHave you ever been a scapegoat? Something bad happened. It was not your fault, but you received the blame. Or have you ever scapegoated someone else?

A scapegoat receives all the blame or punishment for the wrongs of others.

The person may be innocent or only partially at fault. However, they receive total blame.

  • Family members accuse a relative for all their problems.
  • Company leaders condemn an employee for the company’s losses.
  • Team members blame one player for their team’s defeat.

We don’t like to be accused when innocent.

Neither do other people.

We find the background for a scapegoat in the Bible.

God gave Moses directions for the Day of Atonement. Aaron, Israel’s first high priest, took two male goats for a sin offering. One goat was sacrificed. The other (the scapegoat) had the sins of the people symbolically placed on it. It was then driven into the wilderness.

Rather than condemn others unfairly, let’s:

  • Take responsibility for our own actions.
  • Encourage one another to make wise choices.
  • Forgive the mistakes of others and ask forgiveness for ours.

Let’s not hang one another out to dry. Instead, let’s treat others like we want to be treated.

“He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task.  (Leviticus 16:21 NIV).

Thanks to Karen Atwood for the suggestion and to Lori Carmicle for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Rough around the Edges

Rough around the Edges

Comments 4 comments

Rough around the Edges--Bryce CanyonWe all know people who are a little rough around the edges. Although wonderful, they have flaws.

Rough around the edges means not perfect but good.

The description relates to:

  • Places
  • Possessions
  • Feelings
  • People

Many tourist destinations are rough around the edges.

We see that at:

  • Bryce and other canyons with unusual rock formations
  • Beaches in out-of-the-way places
  • Mountains altered by avalanches

Their rugged nature increases their appeal.

Favorite possessions are often rough around the edges.

  • Antiques with scratches and other imperfections
  • Children’s security blankets
  • Well-worn shoes and clothes

They may not look the best, but they function well.

We often feel rough around the edges.

That happens if we:

Such days make us appreciate the easier ones.

Some of the best people I know have flaws.

Those include:

  • Poor social skills
  • Pasts filled with unwise choices
  • Limited education

Yet, they make up for what they lack with caring attitudes and actions.

Before we pass judgement on other people, we might want to look in the mirror.

We all have rough edges. We make mistakes and must live with their consequences.

The world becomes a better place when we love and support one another. Jesus taught those characteristics with words and example. I pray we follow.

“We all stumble in many ways” (James 3:2 NIV).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.