I have always been fascinated with the origins of idioms. Such as . . .
Go the whole nine yards
Definition: To give your all toward something.
Origin: Fighter pilots during World War II had nine yards’ worth of ammunition. When they gave their all to the battle, they would run out of this whole nine yards of ammunition.
OR . . .
Armed to the teeth
Definition: Being overly prepared or too well equipped.
Origin: A possible origin is 17th century pirates who wanted to make sure they never ran out of ammunition, and held a gun in each hand. In order to be prepared, they tended to keep another gun in their pocket and held a knife in their teeth.
Another is Red Letter Day, which goes back to the late 1300s when important and religious days were marked in red on the calendar. Today it means any day of special significance or opportunity.
This reference, of course, took me straight to the red letters in the Bible, the words of Christ. Though “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16, emphasis mine) there is something even more authoritative in the red letters for these are the words Christ himself spoke while he walked with man—not words spoken about Him.
If you ever wake up feeling down, or confused, or disillusioned, determine to make it a Red Letter Day. Pick up your Bible and head straight for the red letters and read just them. All the answers are there—in the power of the red letters.
(If you have never heard Crowder’s song “Red Letters,” click the link below and enjoy.)
Go the whole nine yards
Definition: To give your all toward something.
Origin: Fighter pilots during World War II had nine yards’ worth of ammunition. When they gave their all to the battle, they would run out of this whole nine yards of ammunition.
OR . . .
Armed to the teeth
Definition: Being overly prepared or too well equipped.
Origin: A possible origin is 17th century pirates who wanted to make sure they never ran out of ammunition, and held a gun in each hand. In order to be prepared, they tended to keep another gun in their pocket and held a knife in their teeth.
Another is Red Letter Day, which goes back to the late 1300s when important and religious days were marked in red on the calendar. Today it means any day of special significance or opportunity.
This reference, of course, took me straight to the red letters in the Bible, the words of Christ. Though “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16, emphasis mine) there is something even more authoritative in the red letters for these are the words Christ himself spoke while he walked with man—not words spoken about Him.
If you ever wake up feeling down, or confused, or disillusioned, determine to make it a Red Letter Day. Pick up your Bible and head straight for the red letters and read just them. All the answers are there—in the power of the red letters.
(If you have never heard Crowder’s song “Red Letters,” click the link below and enjoy.)
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