Express Yourself!
In colonial America, the expression “Mind your p’s and q’s” was something a
colonial innkeeper might have said to someone who was drinking too much and
becoming rowdy. (The p’s and q’s referred to pints and quarts of drink!) Today the
phrase is still used to tell people to mind their manners and behave.
DIRECTIONS: Each expression below also had its origins in colonial times. Read how
each one came about. Then write in what you think it means today. When you’re
done, use each expression in an original sentence on the back of this page.a. lock, stock, and barrel: A colonial
musket was usually constructed and
paid for in three separate parts—the
lock (firing mechanism), stock (wood),
and barrel (metal tube). Once
completed, the item as a whole was
given to its owner, “lock, stock, and
barrel.” Today this phrase means…
_________________________________________
b. At loggerheads: A loggerhead was a long
metal bar with a ball on one end, used
in taverns to heat up beverages.
Unfortunately, patrons would also
sometimes use them as weapons
during a fight. Today when people are
“at loggerheads,” they are… ___________
_________________________________________
c. A windfall: In colonial days, people
were thrilled when strong winds pulled
down tree branches, or even whole
trees. These “windfalls” made it easier
for people to gather their firewood!
Today a windfall is… ___________________
_________________________________________
d. pot luck: Many meals in colonial days
were prepared in a big pot with a mix
of ingredients. As it was impolite to ask
what was in these stews, people would
have to take “pot luck” when had to
dinner at a neighbor’s house. Today
when people have a potluck, they…
_________________________________________
e. a field day: Citizens would gather
annually on muster day to watch the
militia drill. This would be a social
gathering with food, drink, and
conversation. Today when people have
a “field day,” they… ____________________
_________________________________________
f. sleep tight: There were no metal springs
in colonial beds. Some, though, did
have rope supports between the
wooden sides of the bed frame. These
could be tightened to insure a good
night’s sleep. Today, when we say
“sleep tight,”we mean… _______________
_________________________________________
g. skin flint: a thrifty colonist who needed
but was unwilling to pay for a new flint,
might take a knife and chip or skin
pieces from the old flint until it was
serviceable. Today, a person who is
described as “a skinflint” is… __________
_________________________________________
In colonial America, the expression “Mind your p’s and q’s” was something a
colonial innkeeper might have said to someone who was drinking too much and
becoming rowdy. (The p’s and q’s referred to pints and quarts of drink!) Today the
phrase is still used to tell people to mind their manners and behave.
DIRECTIONS: Each expression below also had its origins in colonial times. Read how
each one came about. Then write in what you think it means today. When you’re
done, use each expression in an original sentence on the back of this page.a. lock, stock, and barrel: A colonial
musket was usually constructed and
paid for in three separate parts—the
lock (firing mechanism), stock (wood),
and barrel (metal tube). Once
completed, the item as a whole was
given to its owner, “lock, stock, and
barrel.” Today this phrase means…
_________________________________________
b. At loggerheads: A loggerhead was a long
metal bar with a ball on one end, used
in taverns to heat up beverages.
Unfortunately, patrons would also
sometimes use them as weapons
during a fight. Today when people are
“at loggerheads,” they are… ___________
_________________________________________
c. A windfall: In colonial days, people
were thrilled when strong winds pulled
down tree branches, or even whole
trees. These “windfalls” made it easier
for people to gather their firewood!
Today a windfall is… ___________________
_________________________________________
d. pot luck: Many meals in colonial days
were prepared in a big pot with a mix
of ingredients. As it was impolite to ask
what was in these stews, people would
have to take “pot luck” when had to
dinner at a neighbor’s house. Today
when people have a potluck, they…
_________________________________________
e. a field day: Citizens would gather
annually on muster day to watch the
militia drill. This would be a social
gathering with food, drink, and
conversation. Today when people have
a “field day,” they… ____________________
_________________________________________
f. sleep tight: There were no metal springs
in colonial beds. Some, though, did
have rope supports between the
wooden sides of the bed frame. These
could be tightened to insure a good
night’s sleep. Today, when we say
“sleep tight,”we mean… _______________
_________________________________________
g. skin flint: a thrifty colonist who needed
but was unwilling to pay for a new flint,
might take a knife and chip or skin
pieces from the old flint until it was
serviceable. Today, a person who is
described as “a skinflint” is… __________
_________________________________________