Told sub rosa

September 19, 2020October 10, 2020 | Masuma

***Told sub rosa (under the rose)*** Anything told sub rosa (under the rose) is spoken in strictest confidence and must not be repeated.
The rose in question is the white rose which has for long been the emblem of silence.

Whenever a white rose was hung above the banqueting table, no matter what was said or whatever the company, no secrets revealed were ever to be repeated. The custom originated with the Romans and spread to England, where it was widely used during the days of chivalry. It persisted until Victorian times when the living rose was replaced by a plaster motif carved in the ceilings of dining-rooms, many of which can still be seen today.

Before one can say Jack Robinson

September 18, 2020October 10, 2020 | Masuma

𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻 is an 18th century phrase meaning immediately or very quickly, and is said to refer to an erratic gentleman of that name who rushed around to visit his neighbours, rang the front door bell, and then changed his mind and dashed off before the servant had time to announce his name.

To take a leaf out of someone’s book

September 17, 2020October 10, 2020 | Masuma

P.S: If you are viewing this, then, you have taken a leaf from me…some part of me in you?

Salad days

September 16, 2020October 10, 2020 | Masuma

Shakespeare mentions these in Antony & Cleopatra (Act 1, Scene 5)

“𝔐𝔶 𝔰𝔞𝔩𝔞𝔡 𝔡𝔞𝔶𝔰, 𝔴𝔥𝔢𝔫 ℑ 𝔴𝔞𝔰 𝔤𝔯𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔦𝔫 𝔧𝔲𝔡𝔤𝔢𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱”.

The reference is to the years of inexperienced youth – green is the fresh colour of young vegetables used in salads, and represents anyone who is young and lacking in experience. This also accounts for the use of the terms ‘green’ and ‘greenhorn’ for anyone considered to be a novice, raw hand, or simpleton.

P.S: and salad is delicious with the right dressing of course.

Tussie Mussie

July 27, 2020October 2, 2020 | Masuma

In Elizabethan times and earlier they were mainly composed of the scented medicinal herbs like rosemary, thyme and rue which had disinfectant properties and were carried to offer some protection. The idea of using the language of flowers to send a secret message of love reached its peak around 1857 when Arthur Freeling published – “Flowers, Their Use and Beauty, Language and Sentiment”

Eaves

July 24, 2020October 2, 2020 | Masuma

Metal troughs are often fastened under eaves to catch and carry away rain when it falls on the roof. Otherwise, water drips from the eaves onto the ground.

P.S: and then eavesdropping term comes to life…all ears !

Terra Firma

July 23, 2020October 2, 2020 | Masuma

p.s: Stay grounded, to grow !

This word is not commonly used in conversations, more for creative writing or poetry…the word has a feel of support, more so in Hindi it feels someone is saying – your support (tera firma).