SOME ODD WORD ORIGINS -
JUKE BOX
THE TERM "JUKE" WAS ORIGINALLY A NEW ORLEANS SLANG EXPRESSION MEANING "TO HAVE SEX". JUKE BOXES GOT THEIR NAME BECAUSE THEY WERE POPULAR IN HOUSES OF PROSTITUTION. THESE WERE KNOWN AS "JUKE JOINTS".
HAYWIRE
BALES OF HAY ARE HELD TOGETHER BY TIGHTLY STRUNG WIRE. IF THE WIRE SNAPS, IT WHIPS AROUND WILDLY AND CAN INJURE PEOPLE STANDING NEARBY.
POTLUCK
IN THE MIDDLE AGES, COOKS THREW ALL THEIR LEFTOVERS INTO A POT OF WATER THAT WAS KEPT BOILING MOST OF THE TIME. THIS MAKESHIFT STEW WAS EATEN BY THE FAMILY OR WAS FED TO STRANGERS WHEN NO OTHER FOOD WAS AVAILABLE. SINCE FOOD WAS THROWN IN AT RANDOM, IT'S QUALITY AND TASTE DEPENDED ON LUCK.
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