Let's make merry and come with your bells on! Origins, Weird Word, IWSG, Quotes, Being Thankful

 Origins: a recurring post in which I delve into the history of a word or phrase.

Today's phrase is: I'll be there with bells on

This phrase has been around so long no body has been able to pin it down to a specific date. Anywhere from the 1750s to the early 20th century.

What everyone agrees on is that it comes to us from the habit of adorning horses with bells. 

The bells not only make a merry sound, they announce one's arrival. And arriving with bells on is what it's all about when it come to Christmas time and Christmas feasts. It's about being eager and excited

Speaking of merry...

Today's Weird Word is: Merry

Merry isn't really a weird word, but it IS old, well over 1000 years old, in fact. It comes to us from the Old English word myrge which is pronounced "mirye" (the G sounds like a Y, and the Y sounds like  like "ea" as in ear, and the E at the end with that G sounds like ye. Got that?). 

Back in the 1200s, the word merry was used in a variety of ways to describe different sensations. 

Pleasant sounding animal voices could be described as merry. I think of merry bird song, or the merry sound of kid goats frisking about.

Pleasant or nice weather, was merry weather (which I have heard used as a last name.)

If one was handsomely dressed, they were said to be merrily attired.

Something cooked with herbs and spices could have a merry taste.

And people with a friendly, cheerful disposition where considered merry.

 

From the 1780s, merry-about was a slang term for having sex.

Then there's Merrie Old England (Meri Ingland) from the 15th century.

However you choose to use it, have a wonderful 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Posting the First Wednesday of every month, the Insecure Writer's Support Group, is the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh. YOU can sign up HERE to participate.

Every month a question will be posed that may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Remember, the question is optional. You can write about anything that relates to your writing journey.

Let's give a warm welcome to our co-hosts:    Tara Tyler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, Liza, and Natalie Aguirre!

This month's question is: As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received?

I have two such gifts. The first came from my mother when she knew I was in a slump. It was the book, The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron. Inside she inscribed, "For Bish Follow the way Love Mom." I treasure this book as it was the first step that lead me down the path to self publish my first book, Anansi and Company: Retold Jamaican Tales. In almost all my stories I have slipped in the phrase, "follow the way," in honor of my mother who was the first to recognize I might have a talent for writing and was always supportive of my efforts.

The second gift came from a friend and writing mentor. After Anansi had been published she sent me a lovely silver spider pendant and chain. 

Quotes of the Month

“How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!”
― Benjamin Franklin

“Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.”
― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

“The tree of which we are branches on, makes choices yesterday, by the choices we make today.”
― Matthew Edward Hall, San Mateo: Proof of The Divine

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”
― Calvin Coolidge

Being Thankful

Today I leave you with my favorite Christmas song.

https://youtu.be/eFKwlkJbT0Y?si=apEy3bq9iUH7oO9W