SOMETHING DOESN'T SMELL RIGHT...

"KEEP YOUR NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE"

BEGINNING IN THE EARLY 1400'S, GRAINS SUCH AS WHEAT, CORN, AND BARLEY WERE GROUND INTO FLOUR BETWEEN TWO COUNTER-ROTATING GRINDSTONES.

IF THE STONES WERE SET TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, HEAT FROM FRICTION WOULD SCORCH THE FLOUR AND RUIN IT.

TO KEEP THIS FROM OCCURING, THE MILLER FREQUENTLY SNIFFED THE GRINDSTONES.

OR KEPT HIS NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE.

THE PHRASE WAS FIRST USED SOMETIME IN THE 16TH CENTURY