Some idioms date back hundreds of years, and they often use historical language that's unfamiliar today. Taken literally, they may make little sense at all!
Spit and polish
Has anyone ever told you to use some "spit and polish" when you're cleaning? The dictionary defines it as paying "close attention to the cleanliness" of an item. It's believed to be of military origin, probably dating from the 1800s.
The McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms quotes a former soldier as saying, "I like spit and polish. It comes from being in the military. There's no such thing as too much spit and polish!"
The phrase had a literal meaning: for example, when there was an unexpected inspection, the soldiers might literally spit on things that needed to be shiny such as boots, buttons and belt buckles. Then, they would hastily polish them up with a cloth.
Over time, the term also came to mean paying more attention to appearances than to actual efficiency. In the late 1800s, a naval recruit was quoted as saying, "The commander is so concerned with spit and polish, he overlooks the morale of the crew."
This meaning continued through to World War I, when the term was used with some derision by soldiers on the front line, who would quip sarcastically, "Spit and polish! We’re winning the war."
Also used during the second world war, the phrase even became the title of a biography: Spit, Polish and Tears - Stories of WAAFs in World War II, by Norman Small.
Spick and span
Making sure something is "spick and span" means getting it scrupulously clean, so it looks as good as new. The phrase derives from the old Norse term, "spán-nýr", meaning "new". The metaphor was "as new as a freshly-cut wooden chip".
The adjective "span-new" was first seen in a romantic tale, The Lay of Havelock the Dane, written around 1285. The phrase "spick and span new" was an extension of the original adjective. The word "spick" was inspired by the Dutch "spik" - part of the term "spiksplinternieuw". Its literal meaning was "as new as a splinter from the block".
The expression "spick and span new" was first used in the 1579 literary work, The Life of Paulus Aemilius, by Thomas North. He wrote of a squadron of Macedonians wearing gilt armour and purple cassocks that were "spicke and spanne newe".
The English naval administrator, Samuel Pepys, shortened the phrase to "spick and span" in his famous diary when writing of the "foul weather" on 15th November 1665. He remarked how Lady Elizabeth Batten was "horribly vexed" after one of her "spick and span white shoes" was trapped in mud as she walked along a dirty lane and she had to go home without it.
Elbow grease
Using "elbow grease" today applies to someone who is doing hard physical work, especially vigorous polishing and cleaning. It originates from a 1672 book by English poet and one-time Member of Parliament for Hull, Andrew Marvell, when it had a different meaning.
He wrote several long and satirical verses against corruption after his time as an MP. Initially, they were published anonymously, as they were politically sensitive. He wasn't revealed as the writer until after his death.
The phrase "elbow grease" was used as a derogatory term in his 1672 book, when he described a scene in Parliament. He wrote of "two or three brawny fellows in a corner" with "meer ink and elbow grease" and suggested their written reports could be circulated unhindered, spreading potentially dangerous propaganda.
Marvell was describing the physical act of writing when he used the term "elbow grease", alluding to their elbows resting on the table. Over the years, it became a descriptive phrase for hard work and endeavour in general.
Its initial negative connotation was eventually replaced by a positive one. Today, someone using "elbow grease" to clean is putting in a lot of effort and working hard.
Clean as a whistle
When something is "clean as a whistle", the dictionary defines this as "clear and spotless".
The phrase originated in the early 1800s, when it was "clear as a whistle". Initially, it referred to a clear sound, as a whistle must be clear of any obstructions for it to work properly.
Another interpretation of "clear as a whistle" is that a whistle makes a clear, high-pitched sound that can be heard even in a noisy environment.
The phrase mutated to "clean as a whistle" in the late 19th century and was reinterpreted in popular use. It came to mean "spotless" and "perfectly clean".
Put your back into it
The phrase "put your back into it" means tackling a job with physical effort. When applied to cleaning, it means making a strenuous effort to do a decent job. The idiom was first recorded in 1882. There are two different suggestions for its origins.
It is said to relate to the days when manual workers had to push heavy loads, without the aid of modern machinery. They would often turn around and push backwards, maximising their strength.
Another school of thought claims the idiom is a nautical reference to rowing. In order to make a full stroke, a rower must pull the oars with their arms into their chest, bending backwards to maximise the power of the stroke, as opposed to making a partial effort with just their arms.
The phrase is familiar in the English language as meaning to work harder/properly when linked to doing something physical, such as cleaning.
Shipshape and Bristol fashion
Another nautical phrase, it means getting everything in good and seaman-like order, with reference to the condition of a ship. The idiom originated in Bristol, the major port on the west coast of Britain in years gone by. All ships and the port were maintained in good order, hence the saying "shipshape and Bristol fashion".
It was two phrases merged into one, with the "shipshape" part dating from the 17th century, when it referred to a ship being in good working order. The second part, "Bristol fashion", was added in the 1820s, when Bristol was one of Britain's most prosperous ports.
Keeping the ships Bristol-fashion meant that when they were moored, there was a likelihood they would be aground at low tide. Due to their keels, they would fall to one side, so if their contents weren't stowed away and properly tied down, the cargo could be spoiled. Over the years, the phrase has come to mean getting everything clean and tidy.
Today, modern cleaning products have largely replaced the need for spit and polish, but there's nothing wrong with putting your back into it to get the best results!
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