On Valentine's Day I prefer small, thoughtful and quirky gifts rather than grand gestures and when I opened this first little package I was instantly impressed with the cute double-sided gift wrap and the book cover!
Thoughtful and quirky.......you see, a couple of weeks ago, I had been saying that I wondered where the strange sayings we use daily actually come from. Well...they are all explained in this little book.......'raining cats and dogs'...'as sure as eggs is eggs'.....'no great shakes'......'to spill the beans'....even the origin of 'OK'....and 'to propose a toast'.....
So....an example.....to be 'given the sack' meaning to lose your job, dates back to the time when craftsmen travelled from place to place carrying their tools in a sack (long before toolboxes!) The sack was given to the employer for safe keeping and returned when their services were no longer needed. 'Fired' was when someone was caught breaking the rules or stealing and the tools were burned so that the worker would be unable to work again!!
So....if like me you are interested in the English language and all its odd idioms....then you too will enjoy it! In fact, it's really quite addictive..... and unbelievable just how many of these phrases we use without thinking about their origins.
My second little gift....cute travel-themed bookmarks......
The little magnets grip the page......what a clever idea.....
This one is perfect for the book I'm currently reading...........
.......this one is appropriate too as the Taj Mahal is on my travel wish list........
and finally .......chocolates are always a good idea especially from Hotel Chocolat!
i totally agree with you...
ReplyDeletesmall gifts and toughtful!
i really love your presents
What great presents, love the travel theme. I enjoyed the Taj Mahal, it was great being there but there were others places around India that I loved so much more :)
ReplyDeleteNice book indeed, on my wish list, thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteSomeone at work just gave me similar bookmarks but they are all of MINI Coopers because she knows I have one. They are adorable. xo
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun book to read. The bookmarks are so inspiring. Like a Bucket List reminder. I hope the chocolates are delicious. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteoh I've got to get that book!
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful gifts. That book sound great, I am always researching and trying to find the origin of good phrases .. my parents have so many I can hardly keep up. I knew about the sack bit. Those bookmarks are nice as well! xx/Madison
ReplyDeleteI've got a similar book but in Spanish and I love it so much that I probably will buy the one you got for Valentine's day!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Patricia
http://misstoptenimage.blogspot.com
I totally agree- small and thoughtful is best :)
ReplyDeleteXO
Pearls & Paws
This is a very interesting post! And these are not the clichè presents for Vday, you give me ideas!
ReplyDeleteKisses
www.wallofstyleblog.blogspot.com
Loving chocolates from Hotel Chocolat and your post reminds me that I really do need to go on holiday, although would prefer to go 'travelling'.
ReplyDeletehttp://forcailini.blogspot.com
Wow, you did well for Valentines!
ReplyDeleteI agree, small and thoughtful much preferable to the grand gesture.
Hope you have a lovely day,
Liz x
Great book. Growing up with English and Irish parents, I used to hear the oddest sayings. My email address is one of them...psnqs...which is actually an old pub call. Means 'Mind your pints and quarts' because it's closing time!
ReplyDeleteSo funny, some of them.
April
These are awesome treats! The Red Herrings and White Elephants Book is very very interesting and those magnet bookmarks are so cute and functional. :)
ReplyDeleteinteresting book.
ReplyDeleteI'll be happy if you check out my blog too=)
I need to get this book! Thank you for telling me about it. x
ReplyDeleteI am totally with you, love to know the history of our language. Hopefully I can pick that up in Canada....otherwise will have to wait until I am in your "neck of the woods" again;) I wonder where that one came from? Have a great day Miss b:)
ReplyDeleteApparently it's from Amazon - I'm sure you will really enjoy it.
DeleteJe collectionne les magnets aussi de chaque pays que j'ai visité :)
ReplyDeleteHi dear! It is always delightful to come here. Your posts are lovely. I loved this book because I love to read and learn the origins of things. Loved so much! God bless you, darling! Lots of kisses, Marie
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you when you say you like quirky gifts. I got a BIG vase filled with jelly beans as my Valentine's Day gift. I was so excited! Great post!
ReplyDeleteCatherine xo
Thoughtful gifts are the best!! Xx
ReplyDeletemac lippy giveaway :: 1stepclosereveryday.blogspot.co.uk
Magnets showing places round the world, chocolates...What more can I ask?
ReplyDeleteBest Regards
Miss Margaret Cruzemark
http://margaretcruzemark.blogspot.com/
Very nice gifts! I would love to read the Red Herrings book. It sounds very interesting. The bookmarks are very cute and useful too. Enjoy the chocolates! xo
ReplyDeleteLUXESSED
These are such wonderful and thoughtful gifts, I would love to receive books over flowers. The Red Herrings book sounds so cute, I would love to have a copy (must search on Amazon), The travel bookmarks are the perfect inspiration to dream of faraway places. Thanks for your visit sweety
ReplyDeleteLove all your gifts!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cute though. I need a better bookmark, mine is my old metrocard. xD
ReplyDeleteSmall is elegant and classy...Love books, bookmarks as presents...perhaps book-ends too?
ReplyDeleteI love those little sayings and their history! What cute gifts! And you're right... chocolate is always a good idea! (Mine have already been devoured - it has been a week already after all!) :)x
ReplyDeleteThat book of idiom explanations sounds fascinating - and full of good laughs, too :) Growing up bilingual, one of the things you really miss learning in both languages is idioms and expressions, so I could probably learn a few things, too! Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day :)
ReplyDeletexox,
Cee
I Love books like that! I think I might get one for me and one as a gift...thanks for the recommend.
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet and how incredibly gorgeous is the gift wrap!?
ReplyDeleteI love the bookmarks!! I want them!! :D
ReplyDeleteMiss B, you have been spoiled! Such adorable gitfs! The book seems so interesing and I like the bookmarks:) Yum for the choco boxes! Kisses dear! xo
ReplyDeleteThese are such nice gifts. I like the bookmarks, especially the Eifell Tower. And chocolates, oh yes, one of my favorite things in the world. I hope your Valentines Day was lovely.
ReplyDelete~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
What an interesting (and helpful) little book! Love it!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
miss b, you received some great gifts. i am LOVING that 1st book. i have got to purchase it. i love explanations of things and in this case sayings. how unique!!! thanks for sharing this. love you doll!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
Thanks for all the enlightenment here. I always wondered why the British used the word sacked when talking about someone getting 'canned' and how it came about. The explaination for fired is interesting too . . . .
ReplyDeletethis looks really nice, i will definitely check it out :)
ReplyDeletehttp://fashion-gourmet.blogspot.com/
I definitely agree...thoughtful, quirky, and unexpected. Those are the best kinds of gifts:)!
ReplyDeletethese are all lovely gifts! I myself love getting and giving chocolate... for a sweeter life... ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and useful gifts! Taj Mahal is on my wish list too!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
xoxo MM
that's an interesting book ;-) ill find that in the bookstore when Ill have a chance.
ReplyDeletethen,i love that travel theme bookmarks ;-)
www.phioxee.com
Sweet thoughtful gifts like this are always so much more meaningful and enjoyable. That book sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteRowena @ rolala loves
Now these are truly wonderful gifts! I am fascinated to know that ‘getting the sack’ is an old saying, I always thought it was modern!
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering the other day where something I had just said (can't even remember what it was now) had originated and here's a book that probably could have told me! How difficult it must be for someone learning our language to figure out what we mean by all of these phrases lol! A lovely Valentine's gift for sure! Thanks for stopping by for Wednesday's post, sweet .. xox ~S
ReplyDeleteSANDY M Illustration
http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com
I'm sure the book could have told you! There are so many phrases explained and as I was reading them all I was also thinking how confusing it must be for someone trying to learn English!
ReplyDeleteI so agree great gifts and I firmly believe a bunch of flowers on a day when life is a little tough is much more meaningful.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and thoughtful gifts x
ReplyDeleteGreat gifts. Very interesting!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
Besos, desde España, Marcela♥
Amazing pics! Have a nice weekend:)
ReplyDeletehttp://theprintedsea.blogspot.de
These are such beautiful and thoughtful gifts; the book looks so lovely and so do those chocolates! xx
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of valentines day but these gifts are perfect. love the little book marks.
ReplyDeleteKayleigh http://www.thewayiwanderlust.blogspot.com.au
Awww, these cards are so cute!! Hope you had a lovely Vday !!
ReplyDeleteLove
Svenja
Happybluebird
great post, have a nice week
ReplyDeletehttp://aprettylife13.blogspot.hu/
What a funny idea with the book! Useful! xo Caroline
ReplyDeletewhat a great book!! I would love to learn more about these expressions. What a perfect gift.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this book but I should give it a try and see if I like it!
ReplyDelete-Vogue&Heels
vogueandheels.wordpress.com
Such a great history to learn about getting sacked. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHave a good week!
ReplyDeleteBesos, desde España, Marcela♥
miss doodles likes miss b's blog :>
ReplyDeleteJe ne connais pas ce livre mais il a l'air vraiment chouette :) merci d'être passée par mon blog!
ReplyDeletexoxo
parisian-fairytale.blogspot.fr
hey! everything is sooo cute, love the little magnets!
ReplyDeletewww.letiziabarcelona.com
Just wanted to drop by again to say thanks for your sweet compliment and for dropping by Friday, sweet. Hope you have a wonderful new week! xo ~S
ReplyDeleteSANDY M Illustration
http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com
I'm with you,
ReplyDeletelittle thoughtful gifts are more meaningful
especially when self-made by the giver.
Thank you for stopping by chez moi today, miss b. I am glad you mentioned this post. I did enjoy it tremendously and might try to get my hands on this charming little idiom book. A bientôt, Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
ReplyDeleteThese are such sweet gifts. I liked those bookmarks very much and I also want to receive heart shaped chocolates : )
ReplyDelete