Pass The Buck

"Buttons"

Why do men's clothes have buttons on the
right while women's clothes have buttons
on the left?

One of the explanations is the following.
When buttons were invented, they were
very expensive and worn primarily by the
rich. Because wealthy women were dressed
by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on
the maid's right. Since most people are right-
handed, it is easier to push buttons on the
right through holes on the left. And that's where
women's buttons have remained since.

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"Mr. X"

Why do X's at the end of a letter signify
kisses?

A: In the Middle Ages, when many people
were unable to read or write, documents
were often signed using an X. Kissing the
X represented an oath to fulfill obligations
specified in the document. The X and
the kiss eventually became synonymous.

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"Pass The Buck"

Why is shifting responsibility to someone
else called "passing the buck"?

A: In card games, it was once customary
to pass an item, called a buck, from player
to player to indicate whose turn it was to
deal. If a player did not wish to assume
the responsibility, he would "pass the buck"
to the next player.

Hence, the famous 'The buck stops here'
desk plate...
Received on Mon Jan 30 10:19:43 2006