Episode Description
Why do we say "by and large" when we mean "generally"? And how did a dozen turn into thirteen? In this Lexiconned episode, TJ explores curious expressions tied to measurement: "Give an Inch (Take a Mile)," "By and Large," "A Baker's Dozen," "In Spades," "A Hair's Breadth," "To the Nines," and "Second to None." It's a journey through nautical navigation, medieval law, card games, and poetic numerology.
Sources
- Heywood, John. A Dialogue Conteinyng the Nomber in Effect of All the Proverbes in the Englishe Tongue. 1546.
- Smith, John. A Sea Grammar. 1627.
- Nashe, Thomas. Lenten Stuff. 1599.
- The New Republic, 1929 issue (earliest metaphorical use of “in spades”).
- Hamilton, William. Epistle to Ramsay. 1719.
- Burgoyne, John. Personal correspondence, 1789.
- Various medieval tailoring and engineering manuscripts referencing “a hair’s breadth.”
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