'Heavens To Betsy!' Where Did These Curious Sayings Come From?

By Tom Morrow

     There are many, many sayings in our American culture that are with us almost daily, but few people uttering them know from whence they originate. The following aren't necessarily the only sources these saying derived. There are always another version of each, but these are what I can find.

     Take for example "Lock, Stock and Barrel," as used in "Take it all, lock, stock, and barrel." The saying come from the fact that in early America, pre-revolutionary War days, guns weren't made in complete order. One source would make a barrel, another would hone a stock from wood, and a third would make the flint lock. Those wanting a gun would have to go to three sources to put the weapon together.

     "Jump on the Bandwagon:"  Derived from the 19th century when the circus would come to town. There always was a parade that led through town on the way to the huge tent for the performances. As the parade winded through town, young people would try to "jump on the bandwagon" containing the circus band. It has been used since as an expression for joining a movement or campaign.

     "Get the Ball Rolling:" One of the stories attributed to a Presidential campaign. Back in 1836, when William Henry Harrison was running for President, there were a lot of bills stalled in Congress. Democrat U.S. Senator Thomas Hart Benton gave a speech before voting for an important piece of legislation saying, "Solitary and alone, I put this ball in motion." Harrison's Whig party had been stalling many of the bills. He used Benton's words as a campaign motto, "Keep the ball rolling for Harrison."
     "Mind Your P's and Q's:" Back in the 17th century, the saying has been attributed to a saying that comes from English pubs. Grog was served in pints and quarts. When the barman or barmaid would fill the mugs, they would say, "Mind your Pint's and Quart's."

     "Fifth Columnist:" During the Spanish Civil War in 1936, a Spanish general broadcasting on the radio to the loyalist forces would tell them there would be four columns on the battlefield against you, and a "fifth column" within your rank.

       "Heavens To Betsy:" This one is a mystery. I was unable to find the origin. If anyone out there know the answer, share it with us.

     I'll have more of these in later columns.

     Below, find Chapter 7 of my novella, "Dark Angel."

Chapter

7

       Oceanside, California is one of the Golden State’s more pleasant beach-front communities. At nearly 200,000 in population, it’s larger than most state capital cities. The city enjoys mild weather year-round, with the temperatures averaging in the 60s, seldom varying more than 20 degrees of temperature either way.

       The city is the home of a historic Spanish Mission San Luis Rey built in the 18^th century.

Danny Saenz was proud of his police department. In recent years, it has been considered one of California’s best law enforcement agencies. That hasn’t always been the case. During the late ‘60s and into the ‘70s, local police had their hands full in keeping the peace on downtown streets. It was a time when a nearby military base was turning out as many troops as they could to meet the never ending quotas required for the Vietnam War. Many of the young recruits had less than stellar backgrounds, some criminal, others were school dropouts. At times things got so bad the Military Police was assigned to ride along with Oceanside police officers to help control things. The city’s crime rate was high and a bad reputation followed the beach town well into the 1990s. That was 40 years ago. The military adopted more stringent recruiting requirements and Oceanside had a better trained force – together, these two factors have brought peace, even serenity to the city’s downtown area.

Oceanside Police have a successful Senior Volunteer Patrol and community outreach program.

Still, the gang element continues to grow as it does in just about every community of size in Southern and Central California.