This post highlights the work required of my SA 202:
Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to
research and identify the origins and meanings of time of a specific American phrase
that they selected. Several students were given the opportunity to have their
exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission
have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show
your appreciation for their work through the comments.
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| Representation of the meaning of "ball and chain". |
The phrase “ball and chain” is something that I have heard used commonly in conversation. When I have heard it, it is generally used in a very demeaning way. I have generally heard this phrase used by men. My goal in picking this phrase was to learn how the phrase changed from its original meaning to the one that is known today. I assume that the original meaning of “ball and chain” is what I learned in history. That it was a heavy iron ball that was attached to a chain and shackled to a prisoner as a punishment. According to dictonary.com, the phrase does originally mean “a heavy metal ball secured by a chain to the leg of a prisoner to prevent escape” (“Ball and chain Definition & Meaning”). This is very different from the modern day meaning. Currently, the term is slang for “wife” (“The saying 'Ball and chain' - meaning and origin.”). Some of the earliest examples of the change in meaning of the phrase comes from a fiction book called Cutie, A Warm Mamma by Ben Hecht and Maxwell Bodenheim. This story is a satire of the censors and candor of society in the 1920s. The main character Herman Pupik hires an assistant named Cutie whom he is having an affair with. After disappearing for days, he introduces her to his wife. Cutie says, “so this is the way you have been deceiving me! Getting me to repent and repent and all the time with a ball and chain waiting for you at home.” (Hecht and Bodenheim 70). This gives insight on why wives are referred to as a “ball and chain”. Wives are viewed as something that is holding a man back from living a good, free, and fun life. I think this says a lot about our society and the way we view women and relationships.
Works Cited
“Ball and chain Definition & Meaning.” Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/ball%20and%20chain. Accessed 27 September 2023.
Hecht, Ben, and Maxwell Bodenheim. “Cutie, A Warm Mamma.” United States: Boar's Head Books, 2 October 1924, https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/67680/pg67680-images.html. Accessed 27 September 2023.
“The saying 'Ball and chain' - meaning and origin.” The Phrase Finder, https://phrases.org.uk/meanings/54950.html. Accessed 27 September 2023.
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| Representation of the meaning of "Gung ho" |
By: Molly Suthoff
“Wholeheartedly enthusiastic and loyal,” gung-ho is a term that may go over one person’s head and resonate beautifully with another (“Gung-ho Definition”). I specifically chose this term because I have seen it used numerous times and always wondered how it made its way into everyday usage in English. Before thoroughly researching the word, I knew that it had some relation to being happy and expressing that happiness through being ecstatic or eager. I also thought that it was a positively connotated word; I have since learned that it is not necessarily always positively connotated. With origins in Chinese, the term gung-ho when properly translated actually means “industrial cooperative” (Kung). In a brief summary, it came into the English lexicon thanks almost entirely to one man, U.S. Marine Evans Fordyce Carlson. Stationed to observe Chinese soldiers, Carlson watched them work together in a way they called gung-ho. Their way of working together was united by one idea. According to NPR, after watching the soldiers Carlson supposedly associated the word gung-ho with teamwork, and he is later quoted as saying that it meant to work in harmony (Kung). I think this a good time to mention that throughout the article from NPR, it is continually pointed out that gung-ho does NOT mean to work in harmony. I would also like to note that there were at least two other sources I viewed that had opening lines stating that gung-ho would very roughly translate to “work harmony.” This is not true. Once Carlson began to lead his own battalion, he had begun to use his motto of gung-ho, and his battalion began to call themselves the “Gung-ho Battalion.” As the word became popularized outside of the battalion thanks to the movie Gung Ho! people started to associate it with being overly enthusiastic and eager (A&E Television Networks). Its meaning today is still similar to the later meaning it took on, extreme enthusiasm. Anyone who is gung-ho is very eager to do something. When using this term today to describe a marine, it is positively connotated. When describing someone chasing an idea or dream, you can presume there is a bit of a negative connotation to the word.
Works Cited
A&E Television Networks. “Watch Origins of 'Gung Ho!' Clip | HISTORY Channel.” The HISTORY Channel, https://www.history.com/videos/origins-of-gung-ho.
“Gung-ho Definition & Meaning.” Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/gung-ho. Accessed 26 September 2023.
Kung, Jess. “What Does The Word Gung-Ho Really Mean? : Code Switch.” NPR, 18 October 2019, https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2019/10/18/406693323/the-long-strange-journey-of-gung-ho. Accessed 26 September 2023.
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| Representation of "caught red handed" |
By: Cooper Feeler
8 comments:
I love learning the origin of phrases that I have used my whole life. It really is crazy to see just how phrases can change and differ from one century to the next. My favorite out of these though is caught red handed. I use this very often and learning that it came from people actually cutting off their hands is bonkers to me. I'm very glad that this phrase has changed the way it has.
I find it interesting that we often adapt phrases and change the meaning of them. I thought the meaning was always to get caught doing something you were not supposed to do. Knowing that it meant murdering someone was surprising. -Serenity Henderson
I have also heard the saying "ball and chain" many times throughout my life. After someone uses this idiom it usually ends in others laughing. Something that is meant as a joke has a pretty demining underlying meaning. I also agree that it says a lot about our society and their opinions of women.
We may have a deeper grasp of the phrase's historical roots by learning that it originated from a story from Ulster, an area in northern Ireland. A vivid peek into ancient customs and traditions may be found in the narrative of the boat race and the horrific act of cutting off a hand to win the tournament. Linguistic development of language is demonstrated by the term's change in meaning from denoting harm to being caught in the act of committing a crime. It's interesting to observe how the original meaning of violent acts has changed to include more commonplace offenses in contemporary usage.
I have never heard a wife be referred to the term “ball and chain” when it came to getting married and I find it interesting because a ball and chain is viewed as a burden and why would anyone want you refer to their wife as a burden I've never heard of that phrase and it's pretty interesting.
-Ahmesha Johnson
The phrases "ball and chain" and "caught red handed" are phrases that I have heard. After hearing the origin of these phrases, it made me realize that these phrases had either an insulting meaning or were violent. I never thought about the actual meaning behind "ball and chain" (although I know a ball and chain was tied to people's legs". I also never thought how violent the origin behind "caught red handed" was either, because of the way it is used today.
-McKenzie Williams
I always like learning the origins of phases like these. You can always guess where they came from such as red handed symbolizes blood and ball and chain representing a prison. Phrases like those still have a similar meaning to them but in different context with being caught red handed being more general outside of violence.
I really learnt a lot from these.These student-researched pieces on idioms like "ball and chain" and "gung ho" are fascinating. They not only explore the historical roots of these phrases but also reflect how language shapes societal perceptions and cultural views. It's a great way to showcase student work!
Kayuuyor Okolo
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