thependulumswings

We continue today exploring the meaning of phrases that we use in everyday life.   Last week we decided that breaking the ice was better than a cat getting your tongue.  That’s certainly good for you and bad for the cat.

Along the way of learning life’s lessons we take action or utter the spoken word.   Once done and hopefully not very often, we recognize that we did or said may not have been the smartest thing to do or say.  Smart folks apologize or “eat a little humble pie.”  Or is it umble, pie?  Where does the expression of “eating a little humble pie” come from then?

Meaning: Making an apology and suffering humiliation along with it
History: During the Middle Ages, the lord of a manor would hold a feast after hunting. He would receive the finest cut of meat at the feast, but those of a lower standing were served a pie filled with the entrails and innards, known as “umbles.” Therefore, receiving “umble pie” was considered humiliating because it informed others in attendance of the guest’s lower status.

After bruising someone’s feelings or taking a false step it’s important to repair that relationship.  A good start to that turn around is showing greater interest in that person.  You might even want to spend extra time positively engaging them.  Maybe you should go so far as to “butter them up.”  “Butter them up,” you say?  Where does that weird sounding phrase come from?

Meaning: To flatter someone
History: An ancient Indian custom involved throwing balls of clarified butter at statues of the gods to seek favor.

If you can avoid the inevitable misstep, you can avoid the apology and flattery stages of turning a relationship around.  If you are human and take the inevitable misstep, be sure to eat a little (h)umble pie and spread (don’t throw) the butter.