Tuesday, January 03, 2006
A Bell Rang
Hell’s Bells! You certainly are one ding-a-ling!
Part of the fun I have with our language is tracking some of the idioms which are ubiquitous in English.
Where’s the bellhop?
This apple pie really rings the bell.
You’re thoroughly cursed - Bell, Book and Candle.
‘Belling the cat’ has a long history going back at least as far as the 15th Century. It figures prominently in William Langland’s medieval poem about ‘Piers the Plowman.’
Bell sounds are often described by words that are onomatopoetic, from the tinkle of small bells to the clang of large ones.
The ringing of a bell can have so many meanings. Here are a random few:
Your toast is done.
Come to church.
Dinner’s ready.
Class dismissed.
Pick up the phone.
Mom, can I have a dime. Good Humor’s outside.
Oops, I have to leave you now. Someone’s at the door.
P.S. ‘Ding Dong the wicked witch is dead.’
