All of us grew up with, and often still use, expressions whose origins are lost in those fabled mists of time. Examples which I've sorted out over the last several years include "cut and dried", which I believe derives from the process of digging and drying peat, and "pay the piper", which I think is largely self-explanatory. I recognize that there may well be other equally plausible sources for them.

But I just suffered an awakening as to another one. There I was, just casually reading the thread about over-long threads, when I encountered Brother Joe's "excuse the expression" caveat for using the hackneyed expression "about to peter out". Having the greatest respect and admiration for Joe, I wondered, for a split second, why in the world would he apologize for that? Then that proverbial ton of bricks fell on my head, quickly followed by vivid image, and I just couldn't contain myself any longer. I laughed so hard I nearly fell out of the chair. I'm ruined for life. Now I can never use, or even hear, that expression with suffering an uncontrolled fit of hilarity.

Do any other 'catters have any similar experience they're willing to let the rest of us in on?

Oh, and BTW Joe, Thanks. It was the best laugh I've had in a while.