I have had this on the back burner for several days,so it isn't actually related to the whole June and weddings thing that I have had going on with the blog so far this month. It is simply about sayings using the word belle,or bell.
"Belle of the ball" is pretty obviously about the most outstanding or attractive female at the ball or party. "Ringing a bell" has a meaning that most people deal with bells as a warning or reminder many times a day for most of their lives. You would think "saved by the bell" would be similar in origin,but in recent times it refers to boxing and a boxer being saved from defeat by the bell marking the end of a round. Another possibility for this phrase comes from the practice of attaching a bell to a coffin in case the person buried later revived. I always had the idea that "with bells on" had something to do with weddings,no idea where I got that. The phrase actually goes back to horse and carriage days when the fanciest harness was used on the horse when traveling to special events. "Belling the cat" refers to a task that is difficult. It is from an Aesop fable about mice wanting to tie a bell on the household cat to warn them,but are unable to complete the task. "Hells bells" is an expression of surprise (also an AC/DC song). Other bell sayings that really don't need explanations include "you can't un-ring a bell","bells and whistles" and "sound as a bell". After all this bell talk I am feeling a bit ringy!
"Belle of the ball" is pretty obviously about the most outstanding or attractive female at the ball or party. "Ringing a bell" has a meaning that most people deal with bells as a warning or reminder many times a day for most of their lives. You would think "saved by the bell" would be similar in origin,but in recent times it refers to boxing and a boxer being saved from defeat by the bell marking the end of a round. Another possibility for this phrase comes from the practice of attaching a bell to a coffin in case the person buried later revived. I always had the idea that "with bells on" had something to do with weddings,no idea where I got that. The phrase actually goes back to horse and carriage days when the fanciest harness was used on the horse when traveling to special events. "Belling the cat" refers to a task that is difficult. It is from an Aesop fable about mice wanting to tie a bell on the household cat to warn them,but are unable to complete the task. "Hells bells" is an expression of surprise (also an AC/DC song). Other bell sayings that really don't need explanations include "you can't un-ring a bell","bells and whistles" and "sound as a bell". After all this bell talk I am feeling a bit ringy!
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