[Goosegirl]

Does anyone know of a good book that gives the origin of common phrases, such as "Beyond the pale," "Below the salt," "Not enough room to swing a cat" (I know the last two) etc?

[hamstergbert]

I enjoy finding out the origins of some of the more colourful idioms that grace our language - and also laughing at some of the supposed explanations that are utter bunkum!  (A half century or so ago, a group of students from Durham([?] were reputedly responsible for making up as outlandish explanations as possible for some idioms and seeing if they could get people to believe them, with a depressing degree of success)

If you google 'Origins of phrases and idioms book' a few suggestions pop up including Scott Matthews 'why do we say that', currently about a tenner in Az or a pound or two less in WoB.  Oxford Dictionary of Idioms is very comprehensive if a little bit drier and rather more academic.

'Beyond the pale' in English usually relates to the English rule of Ireland where the pale of settlement around Dublin was the only sensible place for civilised people to live.  'Beyond the pale' lived the uncivilised thickos and knuckle-dragging savages, according to the toffs who settled within the pale. (Sort of 'beyond the M25' as far as many Londoners are concerned) 

In European terms the pale of settlement related to the chunk of Western Russian empire to which Jewish people were restricted.

[Growster...]

I'd recommend 'The Complete Uxbridge English Dictionary', by Graeme Garden, with some of the best synonyms, and serious information around!

Also, "The Meaning of Liff", by Douglas Adams and John Lloyd details much more on the subject...

[Goosegirl]

Hamsters - I never knew that about beyond the pale. For some reason I thought it related to Heraldry. Must have a look at the various recommendations on here and have a little "choosle." This is a word I've just made up to describe making a short list, as opposed to making a long list which invariably means you lose it somewhere then, when you've tired yourself out looking for it, you go and have a snoozle - ha!

[Growster...]

Quite a lot here to be going on with...

https://www.boredpanda.com/origins-commonly-used-phrases-words-idioms/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

One or two surprises already...!

[Goosegirl]

I've gone for the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms so will see how that goes. Thanks for all your help as usual. I just need a quiz to flaunt my new knowledge!