Go Sip

"Go Sip"

Early politicians required feedback from the
public to determine what the people considered
important. Since there were no telephones, TVs
or radios, the politicians sent their assistants
to local taverns, pubs, and bars.

They were told to "go sip some ale" and listen
to people's conversations and political concerns.
Many assistants were dispatched at different
times. "You go sip here" and "You go sip there."
The two words "go sip" were eventually combined
when referring to the local opinion and, thus we
have the term "gossip."

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"Chairman"

In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of
a large room with only one chair. Commonly,
a long wide board folded down from the wall,
and was used for dining.

The "head of the household" always sat in
the chair while everyone else ate sitting on
the floor.

Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man,
would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal.
To sit in the chair meant you were important
and in charge. They called the one sitting in the
chair the "chair man."

Today in business, we use the expression or
title "Chairman" or "Chairman of the Board."
Received on Fri Jan 27 08:27:21 2006