Have you ever wondered how and why we use names to describe actions and/or feelings? What I mean by names is not only every Tom, Dick, and Harry, but also dogs, cats, and others of the animal kingdom. Taking a name in vain originates with the Ten Commandments, but as you can see many a name besides God’s, can be taken in vain.

Going squirrely…tending to move around a lot. : very odd, silly, or foolish

Cat’s meow…used to say that someone or something is very appealing

Dog’s dinner…something that is messy or bungled

Sounds fishy…To seem suspicious of being improper or untrue

To the John…The first popular indoor toilet was invented by Sir John Harrington, a poet

The real McCoy…the real thing; the genuine article (but who was McCoy in the first place?)

Down Pat…Thoroughly practiced, rehearsed, or understood

The Patsy…a person who is easily taken advantage of

Patty-cake Patty-cake, baker’s man…an old English nursery rhyme

A Pat of butter…now, where did that come from?

These last four are about taking my name in vain.

Happy Saturday.