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In reply to the discussion: A few things you may not have known: [View all]sop
(12,073 posts)55. "Hot off the press - everyday phrases that come from printing."
"This didn't originate as a phrase until the 20th century and means the most up-to-date news. The origin stems from the printing process called 'hot metal printing'. The Linotype machine (invented 1884) allowed printers to type on a keyboard. As they went along, the machine would cast the types right there out of molten metal (mostly lead)."
Over the last fifty years, hot metal printing has been replaced by newer processes, some of which use ink dryers in the presses. No doubt newsprint and other papers coming from the presses are warm to the touch, but the term "hot off the presses" originated in the days when molten lead was used.
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Didn't see this before I posted my explanation. See my post about fabric, #26.
George II
Nov 2021
#27
Another one: many years ago fabric was sold in increments of three yards, up to nine yards.
George II
Nov 2021
#26
The term "hot off the press" originated in the days when newspapers used a process called
sop
Nov 2021
#40
Another one - when a horse is withdrawn from a race it's "scratched" - in England centuries ago....
George II
Nov 2021
#50
Pretty sure "over a barrel" refers to the sexual proclivities of sailors re young boys.
eppur_se_muova
Nov 2021
#54
Here are 4 more: "bone house", "graveyard shift", "saved by the bell, and "dead ringer".
ratchiweenie
Nov 2021
#59