Sage-Tips

What does dirt poor mean?

English Language Learners Definition of dirt-poor : very poor : suffering extreme poverty. See the full definition for dirt-poor in the English Language Learners Dictionary.

Why did people put hay on the floor?

Historical use. In the early Middle Ages, bathing had declined in England. As people got smellier, the use of fragrant herbs became more popular. The herbs were laid on the floor along with reeds, rushes, or straw, so that pleasant odours would be released when people walked on them.

Did medieval houses have dirt floors?

Earthen floors were predominant in most houses until the mid 14th century in Europe, and persist to this day in many parts of the world. In medieval times, almost all peasant housing had earthen floors, usually of hardpacked dirt topped off with a thin layer of straw for warmth and comfort.

What does your still wet behind the ears mean?

Immature
Immature, inexperienced, and naïve: “Don’t rely on his advice about girlfriends; he’s still wet behind the ears.”

Where does the saying bring home the bacon come from?

According to local legend, the church in Great Dunmow would award a side of bacon (called a “flitch”) to any man who could honestly say that he had not argued with his wife for a year and a day. Any such man would “bring home the bacon” and be considered a role model.

What are rushes in a castle?

During the Middle Ages the floors of most churches and dwellings consisted of compacted earth, and rushes (commonly “sweet flag” Acorus calamus) or other herbs and grasses were strewn over them to provide a sweet smelling, renewable covering for insulation.

Why did they use rushes in castles?

Rushes provided good insulation and could help to keep the floor clean. I know that I often point to The Secrets of the Castle for examples, but the archaeologists demonstrate the practicalities of medieval life so well.

What does rushes on the floor mean?

Rushbearing is an old English ecclesiastical festival in which rushes are collected and carried to be strewn on the floor of the parish church. The tradition dates back to the time when most buildings had earthen floors and rushes were used as a form of renewable floor covering for cleanliness and insulation.

What is a dirt floor?

Definition of dirt floor : a floor with a hard dirt surface.

What does just a penny for your thoughts mean?

Definition of (a) penny for your thoughts —used to ask what someone is thinking about “A penny for your thoughts?” “Oh, I’m just thinking about what I want to do over the weekend.”

Where did the saying as good as gold come from and what does it mean?

When banknotes (known as bills in the USA and some other countries) were first introduced they weren’t considered to be money in the sense we now think of them, but were promissory notes or IOUs. It was after this that paper money became “Good as Gold™” for trade purposes.

What is the meaning of the term dirt poor?

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt, hence the saying “dirt poor.”. The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keep their footing.

Why are slate floors called dirt poor?

Hence the saying, “Dirt poor.” The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery In the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keep their footing.. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, It would all start slipping outside.

Did peasant cottages have dirt floors?

As the winter wore on, they kept adding more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway-hence, a “thresh hold.” Most peasant cottages did indeed have dirt floors.