We all use these expressions to a greater or lesser extent because they are helpful. They constitute a kind of verbal shorthand by which we can express our intentions and our emotions. We are on cloud nine or in the pink. We are under the weather or at sixes and sevens. Sometimes things pan out, or they just arent up to snuff.We know what we mean when we say these things, but we dont always know what were talking about. How did these expressions come into the language? What are we really saying when were happy as a clam or three sheets to the wind?This book intends to give you some of the answerswhile at the same time letting you have some fun. Three possible explanations as to origin are given for each commonly used expression. Only one is correct, and a number on the page that follows will tell you which one it is. The other two are simply fabrications, which I made up to confuse you.See if you can figure out which is which. See if you can separate the wheat from the chaff.CFA
