I’ve written before about how the world changes but language seems to lag behind. Thus we still use phrases like “through the wringer” long after wringers have ceased to be. For a full discourse on the topic, see this previous post.
A couple of idioms just keep on living, like a pair of linguistic zombies, more than a century after their original usage has, for most intents and purposes, passed into history.*
- Too many irons in the fire.
- Strike while the iron is hot.
Those expressions relate to blacksmiths, for Pete’s sake! (Whoever Pete is.) But their usage has continued unabated—possibly even increased—long after the profession has faded from most memories, if it was ever there in the first place. How are these beasts hanging on? Maybe I’ll dig out my slide rule in case it makes a comeback.
* Yes, the craft still exists, mostly as an artistic form, but, c’mon, blacksmithing? Really?
Scribbling in the Sand 