Here it is again... Tuesday. Funny how that happens every week! Here's a random thought. I was watching Call the Midwife today, and one of the characters said, "You're going to have to wait on me hand and foot." That made me wonder... why do we say "wait on" and "hand and foot."
Obviously waiting on you means catering to your needs, but why "wait on?" Apparently, it has been linked to the word "waiter" as early as the 14th century which means to serve someone. According to the www, it is mainly an American saying, especially in the South. I still don't understand why the word wait means to serve someone.
Hand and foot makes a little more sense. It originated in the 14th century as well and refers to the "hand," doing manual tasks, and "foot," meaning movement, and together meaning to be at someone's beck and call. Doesn't that one make more sense?
Have a great week, and don't forget to visit Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts!
Word smart not hard, I can agree with that one. Happy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteLove them all. Working smart is a good way to go.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know why we say that. I do now. Thanks for the history lesson.
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You got me curious, so I had to look it up: ""Waited on hand and foot" originates from14th-century English, describing feudal or aristocratic servitude where servants attended to a person’s every need. It signifies complete, attentive service, implying the person served does not need to lift a hand or move a foot, covering both manual labor and pampering."
ReplyDeleteLOVED all your funnies! 😁